Electricorp advts

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 12

Electricorp advts

Sir, —Melvin Turner (March 25) has confused the competition between different energy sources and competition for the supply of electricity itself. Nearly 90 per cent of the domestic electricity market in New, Zealand is at risk from competing sources of energy, such as oil, gas, coal and wood. There is no competition for the retail supply of electricity as that sector of the market has not been deregulated. However, when it is, I would suspect that suppliers will not be queuing up for Mr Turner’s business since he claims zero consumption over a two-month period. The bill he quotes for fixed charges is determined by the electricity retailer which supplies him. These fixed charges are set by the retailer to cover most of the considerable capital expenditure required to establish, maintain and upgrade a system to supply electricity to almost every home in New Zealand. Elsie Locke (March 25) encourages economising in the use of electricity. The Electricity Corporation can produce 25 per cent more electricity than it is currently selling without any ad--ditional capital investment in new generating stations. One aspect of the corporation’s commercial responsibility is to improve the utilisation of its assets and the return on investment for its shareholders, the public. This will be achieved with consideration for the environment and an appreciation for the renewable nature of the resources which produce much of our electricity. Our ultimate objectives are a more efficient use of our assets, cheaper electricity prices to the customer and an increased market share versus our; competition. — Yours, etc., M. HEWLETT, Regional manager, Electricorp Marketing. -March 30, 1989. ■