Electricity Industry requires gameplan

Electricity Industry requires gameplan as Solar PV drives change

The results of the annual survey of electricity industry participants shows that the industry requires leadership on how to integrate new technologies such as solar, battery storage and electric vehicles.

The New Zealand electricity survey results have been released and show widespread agreement across the industry that solar is the biggest driver of change and presents the biggest opportunity to the industry over the next year. The view that the industry needs to work together with a whole-of-industry game plan to incorporate EV’s, batteries, and solar was also strongly articulated in the results.

In response to the survey results release Sustainable Electricity Association (SEANZ) Chairman Brendan Winitana said “It is great the survey shows the industry recognises that we have urgent challenges to face, but the electricity industry is rudderless and urgently needs forward thinking leadership and a progressive game-plan or consumers will end up footing the bill for industry inadequacy”.

SEANZ pre-warned industry regulators and other participants 3 years ago that based on international trends and their 6 years of NZ industry monitoring information, growth of solar would take off and that appropriate and relevant planning was needed for NZ to adapt to the changes brought about by consumers choosing to install solar and related technologies.

“So far the reaction from the industry has been reactive with one lines company imposing a tariff based solar tax for the wrong reasons without consulting its consumers, a regulator manoeuvring to create policy that will slow the uptake of new technologies, as well as threatening the removal of solar and small generators rights, costing all consumers in the long term, said Mr Winitana”.

“Responses to the industry survey highlight the gulf between concern and understanding on where the right solutions lie. Industry participants fail to recognise energy freedom and independence as a key driver of Solar PV uptake, and attempts by the industry to make it harder or more expensive for for consumers will not be rewarded” Mr Winitana said.

“The New Zealand Electricity Industry survey shows consensus among the industry that urgent action is required. Industry and regulators need to move far more quickly, enable new business models, and show sector leadership or their legacy will leave consumers paying for a gold-plated grid when new technologies can lower prices for all consumers” concluded Mr Winitana.

ENDS

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