3. Important Qualifications
We are confident about the results presented in this report and our conclusions about the likely range of impacts of the project on the electricity sector. However we point out some important qualifications to this work.
In undertaking this analysis we have relied on information provided by Meridian Energy in various publications comprising its resource consent applications. The design, detail and timing of the scheme will ultimately depend on the outcome of the resource consent process and subsequent selection of plant supplier(s). Many details could change as the scheme unfolds and these could be significant enough to alter the conclusions in this report.
We have consulted with Transpower and sought advice on the likely impacts of Project Aqua and alternatives on the transmission system. This consultation failed to yield any detailed supporting information for this analysis. We have therefore relied on our own judgement and conclusions on these issues, supported by analysis of various Transpower publications and presentations. Different judgements and conclusions on these issues could lead to different outcomes.
This report does not attempt to establish the net economic benefit of the scheme within the wider New Zealand economy. It is strictly limited to the likely impact on costs and within the electricity sector, and does not seek to identify possible welfare gains or losses from different electricity pricing outcomes.
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