A close observer of the electricity sector says the Government must intervene to force big firms to give up assets and make way for a state-owned generator.
An Electricity Authority report out on Wednesday says Meridian and Contact Energy's cut-rate deal with Rio Tinto, owner of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, has led to higher wholesale prices.
Independent electricity retailer Electric Kiwi chief executive Luke Blincoe says this would be the fastest way of putting money back into consumers' pockets.
He spoke to Corin Dann.
