Power industry changes ‘exciting’

Press, 22 August 1987, Page 4

Power industry changes ‘exciting’

By

KAY FORRESTER

The changes facing the electricity industry are exciting, says Mr Chris Laurie, outgoing general manager of the Christchurch Municipal Electricity Department. Mr Laurie has left the department for a job with Electricorp as its South Island regional marketing manager. His task is buying electricity to sell to electricity suppliers. “Electricorp is a wholesaler; the supply authorities are the retailers,” he said. The M.E.D. would be an important customer. Mr Laurie said he changed his job, after three and a half years heading the M.E.D., because of the chance to be in “on the ground floor” of a new organisation. He came to the M.E.D. after two years as the Christchurch Drainage Board’s operations engineer, and before that a position as chief engineer with the Otago Central Electric Power Board.

He was the youngest person to head a Christchurch City Council department when he was

appointed in 1984. His new job at Electricorp, which he has begun already, brings him full circle. He began his career in the industry in 1969 as an engineering cadet with the Electricity Division.

He is looking forward to the challenges at Electricorp. At this stage the main source of electricity is the corporation's production unit, although he says, Changes in the industry Ipay prompt private organisations to set up

generating units. “If it’s competitive and they can make a profit they may enter the industry.” The South Island was well served for electricity generation, he said. Mr Laurie was one of the initiators of the restructuring of the M.E.D. approved by the Christchurch City Council this week. He believes the establishment of a board to run the department will give it the flexibility to respond to the market. The department, tied to the monthly round of council meetings, was restricted in how quickly it could make decisions, he said.

Mr Laurie believes the changes to the M.E.D., the industry, will be good for the consumer.

“People will see their electricity suppliers acting as commercial entities and being more competitive.”

As for the possibility of cheaper power: “I really can’t comment on that. Mr Laurie’s successor at the M.E.D. has yet to be appointed. The chief engineer, Mr Hal Mace, is/ acting general manager.