Rio Tinto is carrying out a strategic review of the Southland aluminium smelter. Photo: ODT filesThe future of Tiwai Point appears brighter, thanks to a proposed rule change which could cut its massive electricity bill. This comes as majority owner Rio Tinto carries out a strategic review, which it has indicated could result in the Southland smelter's closure and the loss of about 800 jobs. The change would allow customers to apply to pay the "stand-alone cost" of transmitting power. "For example, Rio Tinto submitted that it would be impossible to obtain a resource consent for construction of a duplicate transmission link through pristine wilderness.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 11, 2020 05:03 UTC