MVT, if you are indeed an economist this might be something that appeals.
In the US this week they had a massive boost in GDP and the area that are benefitting the most is the consumer on Main St.
Why? Substantially lower oil prices. This puts more money in Ma & Pa's pocket, to spend & creates demand and jobs.
The same would occur here if electricity prices were far more reasonable. Rather than lining the pockets of a few with dividends and paying high powered execs millions of dollars, that money could be distributed wider in the economy and would act as stimulus. The trickle down effect is BS and proven to be so by the widening gap between the have's and the have nots. There may be some trickle, but a concentration of wealth in a small percentage of hands means lazy capital that is tied up in things like land or their own luxury. Where as if that money is spread it is spent far & wide creating a massive boost to the economy, so not a trickle, but a flood. Electricity in NZ is the equivalent of a tax on the poor. Everyone needs it & quite often a similar amount as well, so it impacts poor families far more than the wealthy. Energy should be provided at the cost of production, combining green and efficient methods of production.