Transpower has issued a warning that there might be an energy shortfall on Friday morning.
It has put out a customer advice notice, which says a national energy shortfall or low residual generation had been identified on Friday from 7.30am until 8.30am.
Customer advice notices are aimed at power companies, rather than the general public.
It had earlier issued warnings about Wednesday morning between 7.30 and 8.30, Wednesday evening between 6pm and 7pm and Thursday morning between 7.30 and 8.30.
It is requesting that power companies ensure energy, wind generation, reserve offers and load bids are accurate, increase their energy and reserve offers and increase transmission offers where generation could be constrained.
This is the first stage in the process of Transpower highlighting an issue. It can also issue warning notices from 36 hours out to one hour before a shortfall is expected, and grid emergency notices within one hour of an expected issue.
Powerswitch general manager Paul Fuge said the notices were issued when Transpower noticed high demand, to tell generators to submit their offers ahead of time so supply and demand could be managed. “It’s their way of signalling to the market … so they know what’s going on and they need them to submit bids.”
He said it signalled that supply was tight and Transpower was trying to take prudent action to ensure it could meet demand.
A spokesperson for Meridian said the notices were not uncommon over winter. “We don’t have any concerns and nor should the public. We’re generating hard.”
… More to come
