Another sawmill shutters operations over energy costs

The Donelley Sawmillers site is in Reporoa. (Image: Donelley Sawmillers)

Mon, 12 Aug 2024

A family-owned sawmill in the central North Island has stopped operating for two weeks because of high energy costs.According to data from the Electricity Authority (EA), wholesale electricity prices were trading above $800/megawatt-hour (MWh) last week, up from about $150/MWh a year ago.The NZ Manufacturing Alliance has called the situation, caused by low hydro lake levels and a gas shortage, an energy crisis for manufacturers. The wood and pulp processing industry has been hit particularly hard.Winstone Pulp International and Pan Pac have ann...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

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

We won’t charge for 10 days. 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].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
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 }}

Markets

Lake Pūkaki returns to average levels

It reduces some of the pressure around energy supply in winter 2025.

Ian Llewellyn 12:15pm

Markets

Mainfreight's provisional half-year profit down on higher revenue

Greg Hurrell 12:08pm

Politics

Luxon flies to Laos for EAS

Luxon will travel to the East Asia Summit as nations start to tilt China's way.

Dileepa Fonseka 12:00pm

Sponsored

Cloud can be an engine for top-line growth

New report reveals AI impacting cloud platform choices.

Datacom

Sponsored

Businesses struggle to manage skyrocketing tech costs amid AI boom

A new report shows only 57% of Australia and New Zealand leaders have a clear understanding of their tech expenses.

Cognizant

More Primary Sector

Primary Sector

Delegat boss Steve Carden quits

Delegat Group managing director Steve Carden has resigned.Having been with the business for three years, his last day will be on Jan 31, 2025.He joined the New Zealand Exchange-listed (NZX) wine group in 2022, having been chief executive of state-owned farmer Pāmu for eight years...

Riley Kennedy 9:25am