Karen Smith
Karen has provided regulatory and economic advice on rule and other policy changes to the Electricity Commission since May 2004. She is currently assisting the Electricity Commission with a project to improve the wholesale electricity pricing process. This has involved developing a conceptual framework for achieving an appropriate trade-off between price certainty and price accuracy, and enabling consumers to make efficient decisions which enhances competition.
Since January 2007, Karen has assisted the Commerce Commission with its role under the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998.
Through her work for the Electricity Commission and Commerce Commission, Karen has gained experience working with stakeholders at a technical policy level. She provided secretariat services to the Electricity Commission’s Wholesale Market Advisory Group and Common Quality Advisory Group, and often presented analysis and recommendations to the Electricity Commission Board. Karen also presents and discusses findings to Commissioners at the Commerce Commission.
Karen’s background in forestry and involvement in KEA’s climate change work gives her an excellent understanding of the issues regarding emissions trading and the NZ ETS.
Karen is an experienced project manager, has excellent organisational and writing skills, strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills, and a sound understanding of modelling and optimisation programming concepts. Karen is proficient in conveying complex technical issues to a wide range of audiences including both internal and external customers, managers, project managers and software developers.
