Monday, 30 July 2001 Media Advisory

Electricity stakeholders meeting

Minister of Energy Pete Hodgson will meet electricity industry stakeholders at 9am tomorrow to discuss possible responses to the prospect of electricity supply shortages later this winter.

Participants in the meeting will include electricity generators and retailers, the national grid company Transpower, the Electricity Networks Association (representing line companies), consumer groups, the wholesale electricity market operator M-co and officials from the Ministry of Economic Development, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and the Ministry for the Environment.

The meeting will progress issues raised in a similar meeting last Friday. Mr Hodgson expects to further discuss the prospect of electricity retailers offering incentives for consumers to save electricity — such as 'buy-back' schemes that offer financial credits for reduced usage — and methods of targeting savings in the commercial and retail sectors.

The meeting will be on level 20, Bowen House. News media are welcome to video or photograph people entering the meeting, but should then leave the floor. There will be a press conference following the meeting in the Minister's office, level 19, Bowen House, at 10.45am.

Press conference:
10.45am, Tuesday 31 July 2001
Office of Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Energy
Level 19, Bowen House
Wellington

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