The fall in NZ’s exchange rate could put a dent in the ambition of NZ’s power generators to move rapidly in expanding wind farm production. In its annual report state-owned Meridian Energy warned its renewable energy project pipeline is “challenging” against a backdrop of movement in the costs of materials, exchange rates, “and what are […]
It is surprising how superficially the media have treated Contact Energy’s announcement it has backed down on its proposed increase in Directors’ fees. The truth is, Contact’s Board has voted to almost double its pool of Directors’ fees from $770,000 to $1.5m. At the same time, it has decided individual Directors will not get any […]
• Customer backlash feared.
• Contact’s message not getting through.
• Grid still a major concern.
Contact Energy got a sharp reality check last week when it announced a 10% price hike for retail customers in the South Island and Wellington, and attempted to increase its Directors’ fees. Anecdotal evidence suggests many Contact customers have already voted with […]
Solid Energy, better known as the country’s biggest coal producer, aims through its subsidiary Biodiesel NZ to produce 70m litres of high-specification biodiesel by 2012. Currently it processes used cooking oil, collected from large commercial operators, as feedstock but believes in the future NZ-grown oilseed rape will become the primary feedstock. In August 2007 a […]
It was always likely the opinion poll gap between National and Labour would start closing as the election approached. However, there was also evidence until recently of people who might usually support Labour toying with voting for a minor party such as the Greens, in the expectation of a Labour defeat. The global financial crisis […]
State-owned Transpower which runs the national grid earned $108m in net profit in the year to June, down from $134m the previous year. It attributed the fall to the impairment of system operator assets by $28.8m and a dramatic rise (from $0.7m to $14.8m) in the costs of instantaneous reserves charged to Transpower in respect […]
• NZ business says hold on ETS.
• Aust business says yes, but slowly.
• Recession will hit climate change policy.
Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly’s call this week to delay implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme is just the first of a likely chorus of calls to ease up on costs to the economy from climate change […]
SOE Mighty River Power, which has embarked on developing a billion-dollar geothermal business, says its geothermal exploration and development programme is the largest and most expansive of its type in NZ in 20 years. It says geothermal development is “our single biggest priority.” By 2012, along with its Maori partners, the SOE aims to produce […]
National has disclosed more details about its proposed Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which it would create by merging the Environmental Risk Management Authority and the Environment Ministry. Environment Spokesman Nick Smith says the EPA will be modelled on best practice from Aust, the US and Europe.
If National heads the next Govt, the EPA’s responsibilities will […]
Chris Mole, Associate Editor
• UN launches Green Economy Initiative.
• World must focus on “green” growth.
• Army of “green-collar” workers.
Top economists and UN officials are working on what is being called a “Green New Deal” to help revive the world economy and save the environment at the same time. The Green Economy Initiative, to be launched […]
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