Official papers highlight power struggle

The power struggle between different arms of government in the electricity sector must be sorted out before the lights go out again, says National Party Energy spokesman Nick Smith.

He is commenting on the release today of official papers that “expose the quagmire created by Labour with its 2002 electricity reforms”.

“We have Transpower at war with the Electricity Commission, and Transpower pleading for clarity in the system and regulations on roles.

“The papers embarrassingly show that Energy Minister David Parker wrote to Transpower in December last year telling it to pull its head in and, in response, Transpower effectively telling the Minister to take a hike in January.

“It is no wonder commentators are saying the sector lacks leadership.

“We cannot have these sorts of shenanigans going on in a sector as crucial as electricity. There needs to be a complete review of the system and its regulators to sort this mess out.

“The Minister cannot continue to sweep these problems under the carpet by saying they are the result of nothing more than a clash of personalities.

“It’s much more than a personality clash – the structure is wrong and nobody wants to be in the gun when the lights go out.

“Labour’s energy policies are failing with huge price hikes for consumers, repeated blackouts and failed environmental targets. These papers are just one more nail in the coffin,” says Dr Smith.

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