Blackouts prove need for power company split-up say minnows

Blackouts prove need for power company split-up say minnows
Failure to bring the Huntly station on line ahead of power cuts is a sign of market failure, say UTS complainants. (Image: Getty Images.)
Ian Llewellyn
Complaints to the electricity sector regulator about the Aug 9 blackouts are arguing the power cuts show the need to break up the major generation and retail companies.Small retailers Electric Kiwi and Haast Energy have made an ‘Undesirable Trading Situation’ complaint with the Electricity Authority. They have since been joined by Flick Electric and Vocus.The complaint, released Friday by the authority, argues Contact Energy and Genesis Energy both breached trading conduct rules and caused the power cuts by not offering generation t...

More Policy

Minister's $200m tobacco tax cut bypasses Cabinet requirements
Policy

Minister's $200m tobacco tax cut bypasses Cabinet requirements

Researchers say there's more evidence to support the repealed Smokefree policies.

Jem Traylen 26 Jul 2024
Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers
Economy In-depth

Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers

Let's pay billions of dollars and get nothing new for it.

Nikitin Sallee 25 Jul 2024
Health's 'hard reset', help wanted busting red-tape, and more...
Policy Business of Government

Health's 'hard reset', help wanted busting red-tape, and more...

Our weekly roundup of public sector news and analysis.

Jem Traylen 24 Jul 2024