Major players ask: is the electricity market broken?

Major players ask: is the electricity market broken?
Parts of the electricity industry are crying foul over prices being set by the highest cost – burning coal at Huntly. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
The electricity market could be set for the most difficult 18 months in its history as high wholesale futures prices provoke more calls that the market is broken.Complaints about the electricity market are not new and usually focus around the market power of the four major generator-retailers (gentailers), in particular Meridian Energy.However, in recent months these complaints have intensified and are not being made by the usual suspects or by headline-seekers. Instead, they're coming from senior figures within the industry and are be...

More Policy

Electricity Authority launches review as questions linger
Policy Analysis

Electricity Authority launches review as questions linger

The review has been described as a ‘rare opportunity for genuine transformation’. 

Ian Llewellyn 10 Nov 2025
Compass dropped in major school lunch shake-up
Policy

Compass dropped in major school lunch shake-up

Ministry appoints 10 regional suppliers; Compass misses out after bidding for RFP.

Cécile Meier 07 Nov 2025
$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms
Policy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms

The fund has been expanded to cover gas storage.

Ian Llewellyn 06 Nov 2025
Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation
Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025