Posts by insider outsider

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  • OnPoint: Brownlee: Now 93.5% fact-free!,

    Linger

    It was stressed but not blackout stressed, more around the potential to have to call up reserves so meaning there would be no further margin for error.

    Summer is a low load so the preferred maintenance time. Contact signalled its maintencne of stratford a year or so ago and yes they do 'coordinate' in a non anticompetitive way.

    What was unplanned was the permanent closure of New Plymouth, which mainly runs in winter so forced greater hydro conservation earlier, and the inexplicable closure of half the HVDC link with only 24 hours notice, removing some system flexibility.

    Also demand has been high this year, it is thought due to irrigation due to there being no rain water ! A sort of negative feedback loop.


    Ben

    Agreed. I think the range of uncertainties at the moment is driving the future price of water. Maybe there is also an opportunity to "make hay while the sun shines".

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Brownlee: Now 93.5% fact-free!,

    I/s

    Generally I'd agree but it has been interesting how quiet they have been this year compared to 2005.

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Brownlee: Now 93.5% fact-free!,

    I/s

    Generally I'd agree but it has been interesting how quiet they have been this year compared to 2005.

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Brownlee: Now 93.5% fact-free!,

    Ben/keith

    Whirinaki switching on is purely price driven. $200 at the Whirinaki node for 4 hours or the cost of fuel, whichever is higher. The exception being a signifcant emergency shortfall in generation.

    It is not designed to only run 1 in 60. That is the security standard for the system as a whole. It is expected to run more often in 'dry years' because that is what it is there for - not much use having reserves if you don;t use them.

    You have to remember the system works on marginal prices ie the point at which supply meets demand sets the price for everyone. It may be that hydro were offering large amounts of energy at $80 but wanted to conserve only 5% of output but were willing to let that 5% go at $250 and that bid happened to be the one that set the market price. Major hydro has not stopped generating during this time.

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • Hard News: Ya rly,

    I think the $1.5 b loss in share value is what motivated him.

    I've never understood why councils haven't insisted on the installation of cable ducting every time they dig up the roads or laid a new one, which they can rent out to fibre layers. Seemed like a potential revenue stream at low cost. But maybe the business case doesn;t stack up.

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • Island Life: Ask her now,

    Isn't Margare the posh way of saying Mangere?

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • Hard News: Call it what you like,

    Graeme

    That's the traditional term for a union grouping at a newspaper.

    Though I thought the traditional chapel for the NZ HErald staff was actually the SHakespeare...

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • OnPoint: AIA and Maori Seats,

    I thought they were wanting to buy it all and run it how they wanted. If wrong, then why the big fuss and change in the law over tehm merely having a shareholding?

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • OnPoint: AIA and Maori Seats,

    Mikaere

    SO no one can build another airport anywhere ever again? No land anywhere that couldn't be suitable, no other airports that could be expanded ever...?

    Stephen

    if the Canadians are offering 30% more than the market rates the AIA shares it may be that they see the opportunity to make the airport more productive. Why is investment in a successful business to make it better seen as of less value than someone building a new factory which may then shift offshore chasing cheaper labour etc? Isn't productivity one of the key economic issues?

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

  • OnPoint: AIA and Maori Seats,

    Lots of assets are hugely important economically. What about Trade Me? Yet that is foreign owned. There are a whole bunch of power stations, a refinery, petrol stations, lots of tv and radio assets that are considered critical for a state of emergency (couldn't get more local interest than that).

    Hell, even the national power grid is owned by an overseas bank http://bernardwoolley.blogspot.com/2005/05/wachovia-corporation-owns-si-grid.html

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report

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