File photoPower generators hope forecast heavy rain in the South will replenish lakes approaching dangerously low levels. Transpower has been issuing daily updates of lake levels in recent times and power storage levels are well down on average for this time of year. Lake levels are usually low at the end of summer but in recent weeks they have been low enough for generators to be concerned if autumn rains do not arrive. Storage levels have been concerning enough for the Huntly power station, near Hamilton, to have been operating at near full capacity in recent days. Among the lakes Transpower monitors, Lake Pukaki was at almost half its historical average storage capacity, as was Lake Manapouri.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 13, 2021 18:56 UTC