New Zealand’s Electricity Use Hits All-Time High As Temperatures PlummetThis morning New Zealand’s electricity use broke a record set only yesterday, with an average of 7,415 MW of power being used during this morning’s peak. That’s up from 7,247 MW yesterday morning, an increase of 168 MW – about the same as the size of Hamilton’s electricity use. “The very cold temperatures across the motu, and particularly in the top of the North Island combined with low wind meant that while it was particularly tight on the electricity system, the power stayed on for Kiwis," says Transpower's Chief Executive James Kilty. Finally, to our System Operator staff working in our control rooms managing the system, thank you for your efforts to keep the power on.” “We are keeping a close eye on the cold temperatures tonight and particularly tomorrow morning when we are expecting similar levels of electricity demand."