zlacker

>>RobinL+(OP)
So does NZ.... Man this place blows especially in Canterbury where I am. Nearly every single day it's windy enough that it annoys and sometimes ruins being outside. I must say 3 to 4 times a week 'f** this windy hole' to someone.

Sitting in the roaring 40s trade winds why doesnt NZ have more wind generation is baffling.

>>pleb_n+L8
The reason that all or almost all of the power you use is renewable. Adding more renewable generation in the South Island won't help the coal generation in the North Island.

Right now, investment in infrastructure needs to be made to move power from Manapōuri to the North Island.

As to why we are not replacing the 1.8m tons of coal we import from as far away as Indonesia with wind or solar in the North Island? I don't know.

Edit: If you take a look here, as of an hour ago we are generating 90+% renewable, but with 192mw of coal generation. Wind is generating at a fraction of capacity and this probably accounts for the coal.

There is hydro capacity but that might be from dams far south.

https://www.transpower.co.nz/system-operator/live-system-and...

>>teruak+wc
Yes NZ is baffling. NZ is a place which could easily be 100% renewable with very little investment. There is plenty of wind, sun and the large hydro power station could serve as backup/storage. However I see dramatically less windfarms and solar installations than in a place like Germany which has much less sun and wind.