TrustPower

After years of delay and controversy, the Arnold River hydro-electric scheme near Greymouth has been shelved indefinitely because the economics "are not sufficiently attractive'', according to TrustPower.

Almost 100 entries have been received for the combined TrustPower Waitaki district community awards.

Trustpower needs to address falling customer numbers which, along with falling usage per customer, are challenging the company's flexible profit model, Craigs Investment Partners broker Peter McIntyre says.

The annual TrustPower community awards for the Waihemo and Waitaki areas will be combined in Oamaru this year.

The whole of the Waitaki district is now part of the TrustPower community awards, with the programme being extended this year.

Volunteers in Dunedin dedicate thousands of hours to the community and are often not recognised for the invaluable work they do.

The Gabriel's Gully Goldrush 150th committee has won top honours at this year's TrustPower Clutha District community awards.

Electricity retailer and generator TrustPower yesterday reported a slightly improved operating profit for the year ended March, with the only minor surprise being a 1c-per-share bigger dividend.

More than 1200 people turned out at an open day in Dunedin on Saturday to view components of turbines for the TrustPower Mahinerangi wind farm.

They are designed to generate electricity, but for the moment the turbine blades for the Mahinerangi wind farm in Dunedin are generating curiosity.