How to Save Power and Stay Safe During Potential Outages 

When New Zealand’s electricity grid is under pressure, Transpower and local lines companies may call on households and businesses to reduce their power use. At Pulse Energy, we support these efforts by encouraging our customers to take simple steps that make a real difference. By being prepared, both before and during an outage you can stay safe and comfortable while also helping keep New Zealand’s power system reliable for everyone.  

 

When a “please conserve power” notice is issued 

• Shift big appliance use out of peaks (typically early morning and early evening). Delay dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and EV charging to late evening or overnight. This directly helps reduce peak demand that stresses the grid.  

• Turn off non-essential loads.  

Switch off heated towel rails, extra fridges/freezers you don’t need, and anything left on standby. Lines companies may also temporarily switch hot-water cylinders via ripple control; this is normal and helps avoid wider outages.  

• Pre-heat, then hold.  

Warm the house a little earlier, then lower your heat pump set-point a couple of degrees during the peak window; close curtains and doors to retain heat. (Cutting peak demand avoids expensive over-build and keeps costs down long-term.) 

• Use lower-load cooking.  

Prefer microwave/benchtop appliances over ovens during peaks; avoid running multiple high-draw appliances at once.  

• Industrials/businesses. 

Reduce discretionary load, reschedule processes, and enable demand response where possible. 

• Stay informed.  

Follow your local lines company and Transpower updates for grid emergency notices and conservation requests. 

 

If a power outage is likely (prep list) 

• Charge the essentials.  

Top up mobiles and power banks; keep a battery radio handy. 

• Lighting, not flames.  

Keep torches/lanterns and spare batteries somewhere easy to grab; avoid candles if possible.  

• Have a cold-food plan.  

Minimise fridge/freezer opening; eat perishables first if the outage is prolonged.  

• Alternative cooking.  

A gas BBQ/camp stove is useful, use it outdoors only.  

• Know your details.  

Have your ICP number and outage contacts handy (retailer + local lines company).  

 

During a power outage 

• Safety first around lines.  

Treat all lines as live; stay at least ~10 m away from downed lines and call 111 (then your lines company).  

• Turn appliances OFF at the wall.  

Especially stoves, heaters and kettles, so they don’t restart unattended when power returns.  

• Keep fridges/freezers closed. 

To preserve cold; prioritise using chilled/frozen food safely.  

• Use battery lighting; avoid using electrical appliances in damp areas.  

• Check official channels for restoration updates and safety alerts.  

The Electricity Authority and your lines company provide practical guidance during cuts.