There's been a lot of talk recently about power companies and Initial Public Offering sharemarket floats and things, so I'd thought I'd add my sixpence worth.
The New Zealand Government has recently sold half of Meridian Energy and Mighty River Power to much media rattle tattle and the like.
And because the current share prices are less than the floated price, everyone's getting stuck into the Government. 'It was a big failure,” shouts Labour and co.
From what I can see, the Government, on behalf of the taxpayers, has got a great price for both these companies.
The shareholders will either get over it, or get out of it - or - what they all should be doing - staying in it for at least two-three years.
It is the sharemarket after all. But you know, when you stop and think about it, the future of domestic power is solar, not dams and windmills.
Within the next 12-15 years, I predict almost half of the homes in New Zealand will have access to some form of solar energy, to be used in conjunction with ‘the grid' of course, saving the average home $1000 a year or more on a $2000-plus per annum costing.
Already we even have one New Zealand power company offering terms to set up their own home solar power source.
Some would say solar power is still quite dear to set up with a $6000-plus investment for a decent system. But even then, a four-six year payback is possible already; and this will only reduce during the next few years, as these systems get both smarter to operate and cheaper to install.
For larger energy requirements, they'll need to be bigger solutions obviously. But for you and me at home, the time is nigh when the big power companies and their even bigger bills will soon be a thing of the past. Won't that be a good day?

G Martin, Otumoetai.