Big wet in the north as southern hydro lakes start to sink

Big wet in the north as southern hydro lakes start to sink
Rain in the north boosted hydro production there, but water is becoming scarcer in the major southern hydro lakes. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
Wet weather in the north has boosted hydro catchments in those areas but the first signs of pressure in the major southern hydro lakes are starting to emerge as future wholesale electricity prices rise.Operational reports from the major generator/retailers highlight the unusually wet weather recently in the North Island.Mercury’s operational update for the three months to December said weather patterns across the Waikato catchment were very wet, almost the wettest second quarter since records began.This extended the wet trend from the sta...

More Energy

Solar-powered hospitals possible
Health

Solar-powered hospitals possible

Sunlight may be more than disinfectant.

New rules with legal teeth proposed for gentailers
Markets

New rules with legal teeth proposed for gentailers

Non-discrimination rules proposed for gentailers.

Ian Llewellyn 15 Oct 2025
Power bills confusing and difficult to compare
Law & Regulation

Power bills confusing and difficult to compare

A voluntary code has not done enough to change poor billing by retailers.

Ian Llewellyn 13 Oct 2025
Home truths on gas supply from Amy Adams
Energy

Home truths on gas supply from Amy Adams

Electricity generators have more alternatives than industrial users, says GIC chair.

Ian Llewellyn 10 Oct 2025