Media release 27 July 2001

Electricity summit a useful first step

Business New Zealand Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says today's electricity summit was a useful first step, but much more must be done beyond the conservation strategies announced by the Government this afternoon in order to address the current crisis and ensure it does not recur.

"The Energy Minister has accepted the seriousness of the situation," Mr Carlaw said.

"Business now looks forward to the substantive short-term issues being addressed at a further meeting on Tuesday. Further down the track there remains the need to revisit the whole structure of the electricity market."

ENDS