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Given low lake levels and snow pack as we come into spring, I think we might be in a pickle next winter, going into the cold season with little water. It would be a good time to buy a diesel generator if you are running industrial freezers and so on for perishable goods.

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I’m pretty sure it was this video that has (as well as good further info on the failed drilling in the last 5 years) a scary chart on what is expected to happen next year with even lower lake levels. https://youtu.be/VFzm7XjaGpg?si=dD1_Mnmpt_WBHvL-

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Yeah an informative watch, thanks. The audio from 'The Detail' on RNZ last week is also quite informative about the situation, nice to get some cold hard facts and realities and not just silly idealism and blame games: https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018951133/the-high-cost-of-our-energy-crisis

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If anyone needs more convincing, here is the current state of the lake levels and snowpack respectively, compared to historic for this time of year:

https://www.transpower.co.nz/system-operator/notices-and-reporting/weekly-reporting/hydro-information

https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/power-stations/snow-storage

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I've just got off the phone to a solar installer who is happy to work with me (rather than offer me what is most profitable for them). The system being spec'd will include a battery so essential loads such as a freezer can be keep going even during an outage.

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