Major New Zealand electricity users call for cross-party energy policy reform

The Major Electricity Users' Group, whose members include Amazon, Fonterra and Woolworths, issued a position paper demanding bipartisan action on New Zealand's energy policy. Executive director Karen Boyes criticized the existing transmission pricing system as complex and unpredictable, making it hard for large firms to plan annual energy expenses. The group seeks to expand firming generation capacity, whether renewable or fossil-fuel based, and expects hydro to be the primary source despite seasonal dryness.

It also urged an overhaul of the Electricity Authority's three-year-old transmission pricing formula, which it says favors smaller users and inflates costs for major grid customers. Boyes noted that while solar and wind projects are easier to approve, the emissions trading scheme and negative sentiment toward fossil fuels deter new investments. The group hopes a unified political approach will deliver more reliable and affordable electricity for large consumers.