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...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

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

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 }}

World

Trump in talks with Putin on ‘economic development’ deal

Relations are thawing between the two nations.

The Wall Street Journal 10:00am

Primary Sector

Yamaha Motor Co snaps up Tauranga's Robotics Plus

Robotics Plus will form a key part of new US-based subsidiary Yamaha Agriculture.

Greg Hurrell 9:15am

Yamaha Motor Co snaps up Tauranga's Robotics Plus

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Tuesday, Feb 25

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Sponsored

A taste of NZ luxury at 40,000ft

Singapore Airlines upgrades in-flight dining with Sid Sahrawat.

Singapore Airlines

Sponsored

Study NZ’s top MBA – on your terms

A world-class master's that fits around work and family life.

University of Aukland Business School

More Markets

Markets

Tourism Holdings profit drops 36%, NZ division outperforms

Campervan sales and rental company Tourism Holdings has reported a steep decline in profit.Its chair described the past year as “the most difficult period for the RV sales industry in decades”, but the New Zealand division is outperforming as geopolitical pressures affect other m...

Staff reporters 11:55am

Markets

Mercury’s first-half profit dries up

Last year’s dry winter has put a dent in big hydroelectricity generator Mercury’s first-half operating result.The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and financial instruments (Ebitdaf) came to $418 million in the six months, down $16m on the prior...

Staff reporters 10:34am