Smelter closure not a risk to transmission pricing benefit

Smelter closure not a risk to transmission pricing benefit
Gavin Evans
Changes to the way electricity transmission costs are to be shared will benefit consumers irrespective of whether the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter closes, the Electricity Authority says. The regulator today published a final decision on how transmission will be charged for, ending a 12-year industry debate. They are expected to deliver about $1.3 billion in consumer benefits over 30 years, mostly from lowering peak-period power costs. Rob Bernau, the authority’s general manager of market design, said that a scenario of the smelter’s clos...

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