Polar Blast Tests New Zealand Grid as Heating Demand Hits Record

An Antarctic cold front has gripped New Zealand since 4 August, dropping South Island temperatures to -9°C and bringing snow to Wellington at sea level for the first time in 11 years. Transpower, the national grid operator, logged record peak electricity demand Wednesday and warned of a possible Friday shortfall as heating load surges. MetService expects Thursday to be the coldest morning this year.