Shutting Tiwai not the answer for Auckland power supply - Rio Tinto

Shutting Tiwai not the answer for Auckland power supply - Rio Tinto
Gavin Evans
Allowing the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter to shut and diverting its electricity supply to the North Island could be negative for Auckland’s power supply long-term, Rio Tinto says.The firm, which is seeking lower power costs to keep the plant near Bluff operating, said closure of the 48-year-old site would result in an inefficient bypassing of the existing grid assets in Southland.That would necessitate a roughly $600 million investment – over five to eight years – to get that electricity to Auckland, and any benefit from lower wholesale power...

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