Poor '96 ski season shows up in power saies

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 686, 13 May 1997, Page 5

Poor '96 ski season shows up in power saies

King Country Energy says that electricity consumption figures for the past year indicate a mood of optimism in Taumarunui. While ski field operators used significantly less energy last season because of the poor ski season, there was an increase in energy usage in Taumarunui. The company's general manager, Peter Till, said the Ruapehu ski field operators and associated tourist accommodation used a fifth less energy during the past year compared to the previous year. Mr Till said the company's overall saies for the year reflected the poor ski season with an overall drop of five percent. "However, there were a number of aspects of energy usage during the year which reflected a more positive mood in the region," Mr Till said. The timber and meat industries showed an increased energy usage and the people of Taumarunui used slightly more electricity in their homes than the previous year. "The only other area which increased its consumption was the holiday homes in Turangi which went up by two per cent". Mr Till said domestic energy use tends to reflect how people feel about the economy and their own personal situation. "While the increase in domestic saies of electricity inTaumarunui increased by only one per cent, it is still quite remarkable because it went against the general trend". "We believe it reflects a generally higher level of optimism in people' s view of their financial circumstances." "Normally domestic consumption shows a slight but steady decline as people adopt more effecti ve energy efficiency measures."