Government appoints board for Electricity Authority

The Electricity Authority will be responsible for promoting competition, reliable supply and efficient operation of the electricity market for the long-term benefit of consumers. Its establishment is one of 29 measures planned to improve the performance of the electricity market.

Yesterday, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the members of the new Electricity Authority. 

Dr Brent Layton, former CEO of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and chair of the group that undertook the review of the electricty sector last year, has been appointed as chair.

Other board members are Susan Paterson and Elena Trout who, along with Dr Layton have been appointed for terms of five years, and David Bull and Roger Sowry, both of whom are Electricity Commission board members and have been appointed for 18 months.

"The appointments bring a strong mix of skills and experience to the Electricity Authority as well as providing for continuity between the work of the commission, the Electricity Authority establishment team and the new authority," Mr Brownlee said.

Responsibilities for the new Authority will be: making and administering the rules governing the electricity industry through an Electricity Industry Participation Code;

• monitoring compliance with the code and other provisions in the Electricity Industry Act and regulations and take enforcement action;
• undertaking market facilitation measures such as education and providing guidelines, information and model arrangements;

• industry and market monitoring, and carrying out reviews, studies and inquiries into matters relating to the industry; and

• contracting for market operation services and system operator services.