Two big power suppliers have blamed the Emissions Trading Scheme for price rises which will add an average $5 a month to electricity bills.

Meridian Energy and DOC have filed a joint memorandum in the Environment Court requesting the appeals relating to the Mokihinui hydro proposal be put on hold.

A West Coast iwi has defended its decision to accept money from Meridian Energy for advice on the effects of a $300 million hydro dam.

Meridian Energy paid money to the local West Coast iwi after the iwi changed its position on a $300 million hydro dam.

Mayor Pat McManus says there's no shortage of water on the West Coast and the 'silent majority' of locals support the proposed Mokihinui dam.

A new wind farm in Antarctica is expected to cut diesel use by nearly 500,000 litres a year at Scott Base and McMurdo Station.

The Government's shake up of the electricity sector could be the last chance the competitive pricing model has, says Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin.

The Government is confident its shakeup of the electricity market will slow increases in power prices ... but it is making no promises about them coming down.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says a big energy company shake-up is designed to give more power to consumers.

The Government has unveiled a shake up of the state owned power companies in an attempt to get more competition into the electricity sector.