Methanex shutters operations to keep NZ's lights on – and make money

Gas deal means all the units at Huntly can operate. (Image: NZME)

Tue, 13 Aug 2024

The major electricity companies' scramble for fuel to bridge the energy shortfall has had some success, but the price is that one of New Zealand’s largest gas users has to shut down until October.After weeks of talks, Contact Energy and Genesis Energy announced they had secured large amounts of gas – 3.5 petajoules and 3.2PJ, respectively – to keep their gas-fired electricity units operating until then.This will temporarily solve part of the fuel problem, which is caused by a shortage of gas, low wind and hydro lakes. It h...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Bloomberg Opinion

US bonds have never been risk-free, and never will be

It will still be a low-risk asset and in high demand.

Bloomberg 5:00am

World

Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission

Some 50 people, gloved and equipped with rubbish bags, toiled away for five hours.

AFP 5:00am

Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission

On the Money

On The Money: Passports, road love and more ...

Our weekly round-up of things you didn't know that didn't make the news.

Pattrick Smellie 5:00am

On The Money: Passports, road love and more ...

Sponsored

“Not an invisible footprint”: Why technology supply chains need optimising

Outdated hardware is a supply chain and cost risk.

Datacom

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

More Markets

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket up 0.5% ahead of long weekend

Pacific Edge's share price fell 7.32%.

Tom Raynel 24 Apr 2025

Markets

Pacific Edge suffers another setback in US

Shares in cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge are down 2.44% to $0.120 after another setback in the US market.The US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has determined that it does not have jurisdiction to review a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that co...

Staff reporters 24 Apr 2025