Pumped hydro way out of the money for future power flexibility: report

Manapouri delivering to a flexible smelter or hydrogen plant best way to deal with the dry year issue says Meridian. (Image: supplied)

Ian Llewellyn

Fri, 12 Nov 2021

Cold water has been poured on the suggested pumped hydro megaproject with a study saying it is the most expensive and risky option to deal with the issues facing the electricity system.A report commissioned by Meridian Energy and Contact Energy has found flexible hydrogen or aluminium production would be the cheapest way to decarbonise the electricity system and wider economy.The report by Concept Consulting is part of Meridian’s case to set up a hydrogen plant in Southland which would run when power is cheap and available and w...

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