New power company on market

A new power retailer has entered the electricity market in Central Otago.

Pulse Energy, a company that works with small-scale generators, will sell electricity generated by a Clutha River hydro scheme run by Talla Burn Generation.

Pulse Energy chief executive Dene Biddlecombe said that consumers who chose to buy the firm's electricity would be supporting regional generation.

The Talla Burn run-of-river scheme will be able to generate 2.6 megawatts once it is completed in July. Its output will be enough to supply about 2000 homes.

Pulse Energy also intends to sell electricity bought from other producers to households in the Queenstown Lakes district.

Mr Biddlecombe said the firm specialised in using "smart meters" to better manage household consumption. The company encourages consumers to use discounted off-peak electricity, he said.

In April the Central Otago District Council granted Talla Burn land use consent to install power lines to transmit electricity from the scheme on Beaumont Station to an Ettrick substation. The firm is run by Beaumont Station owner Alan Hore and Roxburgh electrician Jeff Wilson.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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