Photo: Susan Rebergen
Meridian Energy is seeking new leeway over the country's largest hydro lake, in a proposal that has locals and experts conflicted.
The gentailer wants permission to draw Lake PΕ«kaki down to lower levels than usual - from 518 metres above sea level to 513 - for up to three winters in a row, without needing special approval from Transpower.
It secured referral to the fast-track process in August and said it would carry out a full socio-economic impact assessment as part of its full application.
It was also seeking to reinforce the PΕ«kaki Dam with rock armouring to handle lower water levels.
Meridian said it would 'rarely' need to access contingent storage, "and most likely only a fraction into the available amount".
However, modelling in the fast track referral documents showed the move could release enough energy to power 75,000 homes and reduce wholesale electricity prices by about seven percent, by removing uncertainty over when Meridian could tap into its backup water storage, letting it plan generation more efficiently.
The company's general manager of development, Guy Waipara, said the change would reduce the impacts of future dr
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