Third-quarter revenue triples, reflecting completion of the 97-turbine Te Rere Hau wind farm and higher electricity prices.

Trustpower stands to gain from plummeting electricity prices, according to Forsyth Barr specialist analyst Andrew Harvey-Green – while Contact Energy and NZ Windfarms will be feeling the strain.

Both wholesale spot electricity prices and future EnergyHedge prices, already low, fell further in September due to heavy rain and high lake levels. 

NZ Windfarms (NZX: NWF) has reduced its earning expectations for the 2011 financial year.

In a preliminary announcement released to NZX today, the company reported a loss before tax, asset impairments, depreciation, amortisation, and discount on acquisition of $533,000 for the year to 30 June 2010.

This compares to an April 2010 prospectus forecast of a loss of $435,000, and to a loss of $626,000 last year.

The investment view on renewable energy remains positive in the wake of the Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS) deferral, according to Forsyth Barr.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has decided to delay ETS implementation until 2013, citing global uncertainty on the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

In a report released today, Forsyth Barr clients were told the New Zealand ETS roll-out on July 1 was likely to go ahead as planned, irrespective of increased political pressure over the next two months to defer the scheme.

NZ Windfarms may have increased its electricity sales revenue by 911% for the first nine months of the financial year but Forsyth Barr has cut its full year revenue forecast for the company 17% because of expected lower prices.

The windfarm company – which is looking to raise another $31.4 million in an eight-for-three cash issue at 15c designed to hold off insolvency – released its third quarter operating statistics today.