Energy
Commerce Commission releases approach for setting starting prices for gas pipeline businesses
The Commerce Commission today released a discussion paper outlining our proposed approach to the setting of starting prices for gas pipeline businesses subject to default price-quality paths (DPPs) under Part 4 of the Commerce Act 1986.
The starting price is a fundamental component of a DPP. It sets a limit on a supplier’s prices or revenues.
Read more: http://www.comcom.govt.nz/media-releases/detail/2011/commission-releases...
Power generation emissions lowest in a decade
Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation are at their lowest in a decade, the Government said today.
Read more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10745718
Transpower loses $20 Million in farm assets
A dip in Waikato farm prices has hit Transpower's balance sheet, forcing it to write off $20 million of its property portfolio during the past year.
It yesterday reported an 11 per cent fall to $126 million in annual earnings.
Read More: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=1074...
Commerce Commission proposes adjusments to prices for electricity distribution services
The Commerce Commission has issued a draft decision to reset regulatory controls for 16 electricity distribution businesses from 2012-2015. The proposed reset would implement new regulatory rules and processes—called input methodologies—set by the Commission in December 2010, and result in price adjustments.
Renewable energy hits 12 year peak
Renewable electricity generation reached a 12-year peak last year, with 74 per cent of all power coming from renewable resources.
The figures were released today in the Ministry of Economic Development's annual Energy Data File, which details energy prices, reserves, supply, transmission and use.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/economy/news/article.cfm?c_id=34&objectid=1073...
Investors needed for energy projects
There is no need to dig up New Zealand soils or sink wells to find valuable resources, says Picton company director Nick Gerritsen of Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation and CarbonScape.
Waste streams like the algae on Blenheim's sewage ponds and forestry waste-wood can be converted to clean, green replacements for dirty and risky energy sources like petrochemicals, coal and nuclear, says Mr Gerritsen.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/5277175/Investors-needed...
Contact energy shares reach seven year low
Contact Energy shareholders have followed consumers, fleeing the electricity retailer's stocks as droves of customers sign up elsewhere.
Contact's shares slid from $5.28 to $5.23, a 1% decline, on Wednesday which was their lowest in seven years, but retraced some losses to trade up to $5.25 yesterday on relatively low trading volumes.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/169048/contact-energy-shares-reach-se...
Green light for another Waitaki power station
State-owned power generator Meridian Energy has been given approval to build another small power station in its Waitaki hydro scheme in South Canterbury.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=1073...
Electricity authority cutting prices after March spike
The Electricity Authority has confirmed its will cut to a maximum of $3000 per megawatt hour (MWh) spot market electricity prices from Genesis Energy's Huntly power station that spiked to around $19,000 on March 26.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=1073...
Wind energy making headway in New Zealand
Global wind day on 15 June is a chance to acknowledge the contribution wind energy is making to New Zealand, EECA chief executive Mike Underhill says.