The Labour-Green proposal to cut Kiwi householders' power prices through radical market reform has been given the thumbs-up by consumer groups, but energy sector commentators are divided on the plan.

Labour and Greens want Crown-owned single buyer to set electricity prices for generators.

The Government says Labour and the Greens are trying to sink the Mighty River Power share float with a hastily drafted threat to impose Soviet-style intervention on the electricity market.

Labour and the Greens are promising a major intervention in the retail power system in a bid to lower residential power prices if they win next year's election.

Petrol prices are heading down towards the $2 mark with BP announcing a 3c price cut today as international oil prices tumble.

Brokers and analysts are predicting a strong take-up of Mighty River Power shares as the offer opens to the public today.

Mighty River Power directors are to get a 73 per cent pay rise, it has been confirmed ahead of the release of offer documents for the company's partial float tomorrow.

When people like the PM talk of an orderly transition to a post-smelter environment, they are talking about the scrapping of generating capacity, writes Brian Fallow.

New Zealand's largest solar installation has been put on top of the refurbished Shed 10 on Auckland's waterfront.

Prospects of keeping the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter open in the long-term are grim, with Meridian Energy saying it is still in the dark.

"Why don't John Key and David Parker come up with a common front towards Rio Tinto to send a message to the Tiwai Point owner?" asks Fran O'Sullivan.

The Government and its flagship asset sale programme will not be held hostage by Rio Tinto over the mineral giant's threat to close the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday.

Rio Tinto isn't going to get a deal out of the Government and is likely to shut down the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter potentially at the cost of thousands of jobs over the next five years.

Contact's share price dropped this morning, partly in response to uncertainty over the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.

The Tiwai Pt power price stoush will probably have a small negative effect on the price of Mighty River - but it's not a showstopper say sharemarket analysts.

The Government has opened discussions with Tiwai Point aluminium smelter's ultimate owners Rio Tinto in a bid to broker a deal after talks between the smelter and Meridian Energy reportedly broke down.

Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter's owners have contradicted a report from Meridian, saying they think a power deal can be agreed on.

Potential investors in Mighty River Power, Genesis Energy and Meridian will be exposed to the financial impacts caused by any new charges linked to water or geothermal use and land resumption.

A prospectus for the Mad Butcher's back door listing is expected to be out next week...

A flurry of last-minute pre-registrations for Mighty River Power shares is expected ahead of the Friday close-off.

Mighty River Power chairwoman Joan Withers has a formidable reputation for being one of the best communicators in business.