<
https://theconversation.com/nzs-electricity-market-is-a-mess-rolling-out-rooftop-solar-would-change-the-game-236943>
"Wholesale prices in the New Zealand electricity market have soared over recent
weeks, climbing as high as NZ$1,000 per megawatt hour. North Island pulp and
paper plants have temporarily closed down because of the spike in costs.
Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones has accused the big energy generators of
profiteering, and said the government was investigating ways to force them to
cut prices.
On top of that, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced plans to investigate
the feasibility of importing liquid natural gas (LNG) to help increase
gas-generated electricity supply and lower prices in the process.
This would entail buying or renting a floating LNG terminal and building out
complementary infrastructure such as pipelines. That would take a minimum of a
year (more likely two or three years) and would be expensive, with imported gas
prices considerably higher.
A much better option, we suggest, would be to prioritise the expansion of
rooftop solar throughout New Zealand. This could not only add significantly to
the overall electricity supply, but also help bring down prices."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
