Halt to discussion on smelter’s future while new govt forms

PHOTO: ODT FILES
PHOTO: ODT FILES
Discussions about the future of Tiwai Point aluminum smelter beyond 2024 are on hold while the owner waits for the new government to form.

New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) held a community forum at the Bill Richardson Transport Museum in Invercargill yesterday evening.

Chief executive Chris Blenkiron said potential risks in the next 15 to 17 years needed to be looked at.

"As far as I know, we don’t have a government ... so we do need to wait for that to occur and then we need to sit down and get an understanding of what their perspectives are and then look forward over the next 10 to 15 years on the energy discussion."

Mr Blenkiron said the formation of the government and policies would inform commercial discussions with power generators.

He said engagements had been very constructive with more than one generator.

"Needless to say, our focus is entirely on finding that future. We’re fighting like alleycats for this thing.

"It deserves to stay open. It’s a cracking business and a cracking site."

mark.john@odt.co.nz