Utilities and resources

Emissions Trading Scheme looks set to be a reality
In this article, senior associate Kate Radka provides a brief update on changes to the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill following the release of the amended Bill and an update on the likelihood of the Bill being passed before elections.

More regulatory policy initiatives in the electricity market
The Government has recently introduced or proposed a further series of policy initiatives, all aimed at promoting renewable generation as the best means of addressing New Zealand’s response to climate change. This includes: the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation; the establishment of a Senior Energy Officials Group to oversee the implementation of energy efficiency measures; an enhanced role for the Electricity Commission in relation to energy efficiency, renewable generation activities and the purchase of reserve power; and a proposed further relaxing of the current restrictions on lines companies investing and operating renewable generation projects and selling the output to customers within their local area network. In this article, partner Garry Downs, senior associate Louise Hill and solicitor Sukhdeep Johal set out the key aspects of these new policy initiatives and consider how they "fit" with the regulation of the electricity industry.

Amendments to the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998
A decade ago the electricity industry went through fundamental reform as restrictions were placed on the ownership or operation of both a line network business and a generation retail business. The proposed amendments to the Electricity Industry Reform Act further water down the strict rules on separation. A lines company can now own and operate new renewable generation and sell the output to consumers connected to its network. In addition, certain other combinations of line businesses and generation retail businesses are now permitted. In this article, partner Garry Downs, senior associate Louise Hill and solicitor Sukhdeep Johal outline the latest proposed amendments and describe the impact of the Bill should it be passed in its current form.

Enquiries and information

For more information on any of the cases, articles and features in Commercial Quarterly, please email Diane Graham or call her on 64 9 916 8849.