Another sawmill shutters operations over energy costs

The Donelley Sawmillers site is in Reporoa. (Image: Donelley Sawmillers)

Mon, 12 Aug 2024

A family-owned sawmill in the central North Island has stopped operating for two weeks because of high energy costs.According to data from the Electricity Authority (EA), wholesale electricity prices were trading above $800/megawatt-hour (MWh) last week, up from about $150/MWh a year ago.The NZ Manufacturing Alliance has called the situation, caused by low hydro lake levels and a gas shortage, an energy crisis for manufacturers. The wood and pulp processing industry has been hit particularly hard.Winstone Pulp International and Pan Pac have ann...

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