Cost to commercial sector – to 25 April 2003

Electricity crisis index of cost to commercial sector – to 25 April 2003 lost manufacturing sales total $18.2 million

”The economic impact of the electricity market crisis to the industrial and commercial sector has reached $18.2 million in lost sales since 1 March due to forced demand reductions. In addition businesses that must continue supplying products and services to consumers have paid $12.6 million above the unit price paid by households for their power. The weekly survey consists of all MEUG members and an increasing number of medium and small enterprises affected by the crisis.

“Forced reduction in demand by enterprises surveyed since 1 March totals 83,915 MWh.

“For the week ending Friday 25th April 2003 spot prices averaged 17.5 c/kWh at Haywards. The week before spot prices averaged 21.7 c/kWh and since 1 March spot prices have averaged 17 c/kWh. In comparison the energy cost of an average households power bill is about 7 c/kWh (and just over 13 c/kWh including line charges).

“Ralph Matthes, Executive Director of the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG), said, “the call by the Winter Power Taskforce today for a 10% savings target and Governments 15% target is welcome.”

“The graphs on the next page summarise the lost sales and additional spot purchase costs from those surveyed by MEUG and the Haywards spot price relative to that paid by households since 1 March.

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