Low rainfall in New Zealand’s South Island has affected hydro power generation due to low inflows to hydro reservoirs.
Power companies are reported to be monitoring levels in the reservoirs which provide the bulk of power to the national grid, but forecasters do not anticipate much change in the weather. Average to below average rainfall has been predicted in the mountains for the next three months.
Utility companies have imported electricity from the North Island but the shortages have doubled the price of wholesale power in the south since the start of 2000, going from two cents a kWh to five cents a kWh.
