Meridian Energy has issued New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) with a new, larger demand response notice under the NZAS Demand Response Agreement dated 30 May 2024 (DR Agreement), revoking and replacing the earlier demand response notice issued on 16 July 2024.
As a result, contract quantity under the Core Agreement between Meridian and NZAS will, depending on the start time nominated by NZAS:
- continue with a reduction of 18.75 MWh per half hour until 30 July 2024;
- reduce further progressively between 30 July 2024 and 18 August 2024 in accordance with the Demand Response Agreement; and
- reduce by 69.375 MWh per half hour from 19 August 2024 until 24 September 2024,
unless Meridian advises NZAS otherwise.
Meridian has issued the notice to help manage South Island hydro storage levels.
A copy of the demand response agreement is available on Meridian’s website at NZAS contract | Meridian Energy.