Tiwai smelter to wind back production again due to winter fears

The Tiwai Point smelter will be again producing less aluminium due to a potential energy shortage. (Image: NZME)

Tue, 25 Feb 2025

Fears about a potential energy shortage in the coming winter have led the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter to agree to ramp down production and electricity demand by 50 megawatts per hour in the coming months.The Rio Tinto-owned smelter has not yet restored full production after winding back electricity demand by 205 megawatts (MW) per hour to help the sector get through winter 2024.It takes the smelter months to wind back work on its pot lines and then months to get them working again.The latest round of demand reduction is expected from March 10...

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