Good question J.
By coincidence I did a survey recently, commissioned by Hydro Tas, who are ramping up quite wide scale plans for "pumped hydro", which I see as a form of value adding to the existing basic hydro schemes.
A few years back I recall EPW pulling out of advanced plans to acquire a Tas energy business, but cannot finger now just who it was. The parties couldn't agree to terms.
At the time I think shareholder Stumpytrunks had something to say about that. Again I'd be interested to receive comment here on whether firstly Hydro could be looking for a partner in the venture, given it's not always wise to keep remaking your bed with local State gov't, and secondly whether perhaps this might be the sort of fit / diversification to keep EPW growing.
Given there were perhaps two ways they could go with the US at this point, I think it was a brave, and ultimately hopefully wiser decision to pull out. Regarding comments about refocussing again on smaller, constrained Aust markets, the move doesn't mean we won't look offshore again, but similarly I wouldn't say there aren't sound growth opportunities right here at home.
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And on another note, I was caught by surprise to see EPW have a presence in the island state as it is; refer Linkedin, Mark Bond
Manager Major Customers at ERM Power
Tasmania, Australia
EPW Price at posting:
$1.68 Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held