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New Zealand: Energy

Transpower chair Michele Embling

Transpower on track to meet core emissions targets

Mon 1 Sep 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | Transpower’s total greenhouse gas footprint increased year-on-year due to higher emissions from its value chain, but the company says that making sure infrastructure is in place to enable the country's energy transition is the biggest contribution it can make to reducing emissions.

Govt resilience plan 'dangerous fantasy' - thinktank

Fri 29 Aug 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | An independent thinktank, whose members include former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer and multiple academics, is warning that the government’s long-term resilience strategy ignores physical and energy realities and exposes Kiwi households and businesses to systemic failure.

Profound shifts in our changing energy system – new data

27 Aug 2025

New Zealand’s energy system is undergoing a profound shift as falling gas production and a dry hydro year reshaped the electricity market in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Energy in New Zealand 2025.

Meridian Energy considers green bond offer

25 Aug 2025

Meridian Energy is considering making an offer of up to $250 million of 6.5 year unsecured, unsubordinated, fixed rate green bonds to institutional and New Zealand retail investors.

NZ must strengthen energy system

19 Aug 2025

New Zealand must keep strengthening its energy system if it is to remain competitive on the world stage while moving towards net-zero emissions, according to a new benchmarking report from the BusinessNZ Energy Council.

More in New Zealand: Energy
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Heat pumps could cut household energy bills by $1.5 billion a year

12 Aug 2025

By Liz Kivi | Heat pumps could save Kiwi households hundreds of millions of dollars each year, as well as freeing up energy for industrial users, according to a new report.

Gas pressure intensifies

12 Aug 2025

The pressure from reduced gas supply is pushing industries that rely on cheap gas out of the market in favour of those who can afford to pay more.

Huntly Power Station

Gentailers to stockpile coal under new deal

5 Aug 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | An agreement between New Zealand’s four major electricity generators to establish a 10-year fuel reserve is being labelled a 'climate change stockpile', and could undermine momentum for renewable energy investment.

Waitaki Hydro Dam

Warmer end to winter but dry spell expected over southern lakes

5 Aug 2025

As hydro lake levels hover just below average levels, climate forecasts indicate that warmer than usual weather conditions will reduce demand, but there will likely be less rain over the southern hydro lakes as New Zealand moves towards spring and summer.

Geothermal power station near Taupō

A modest geothermal strategy

31 Jul 2025

By Pattrick Smellie | The Government has unveiled a far more modest geothermal energy strategy than its primary backer, Resources Minister Shane Jones, had sought.

Resources Minister Shane Jones

Last minute change to oil and gas legislation over cleanup costs

31 Jul 2025

By Liz Kivi | The government is expected to repeal the oil and gas ban today, with a last-minute amendment handing discretionary power to two ministers over the controversial issue of decommissioning.

Hiringa chief executive Andrew Clennett

Hiringa eyes green methanol plant near Whanganui

29 Jul 2025

By Pattrick Smellie | Green hydrogen pioneer Hiringa Energy is deep in planning to develop an “eight-to-nine figure” methanol plant near Whanganui, using a combination of biomass and hydrogen produced using renewable energy.

Taranaki mayors want hydrogen kick-start from Wellington

28 Jul 2025

By Craig Ashworth, Local Democracy Reporter Taranaki mayors want central government to partner up with their councils to kick-start a hydrogen industry. This despite ongoing questions about the gas’s effectiveness in reducing carbon emissions.

Electricity Authority’s first steps towards market reform

28 Jul 2025

The Electricity Authority announced its first decision in the raft being considered by its Energy Competition Taskforce work with the Commerce Commission.

Huntly Power Station, the largest thermal power plan in New Zealand.

Is extending Huntly power station to 2035 in consumers’ best interest?

22 Jul 2025

By Simon Orme | COMMENT: Genesis Energy is proposing a cartel to keep high-emitting Huntly Power Station in business to 2035. If extending Huntly has economic benefits, is a cartel necessary?

Importing LNG is feasible, but is it plausible?

18 Jul 2025

Importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a form of energy supply insurance is technically feasible, but an industry-commissioned report raises questions about whether it is financially plausible.

Fast, sustained phase-out of fossil fuels: best-performing countries in coal and transport sectors

10 Jul 2025

By Robert McLachlan | It’s true that climate change is getting worse – it will continue to get worse until emissions fall to near zero. But is action on phasing out fossil fuels really stalling?

North Canterbury locals get say over huge solar farm

10 Jul 2025

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | North Canterbury residents are being encouraged to have their say on a proposed 180 hectare solar farm on a property near their village.

Basis co-founders Danny Purcell and Julyan Collett

Kiwi ‘smart panel’ startup aiming to reduce energy bills and emissions

4 Jul 2025

NZ start-up Basis this week launched an ‘intelligent’ panel to replace traditional electrical switchboards in homes, which it says can save the average home $1,200 NZD annually on bills and lead to lower emissions.

Electricity Authority maps out battery storage boost to back up renewables

3 Jul 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Electricity Authority has released a draft roadmap outlining how it plans to accelerate the rollout of battery energy storage systems over the next two years, in a bid to future proof New Zealand’s electricity grid as the country shifts to more intermittent renewable energy sources.

Offshore renewable energy bill reported back

3 Jul 2025

The Offshore Renewable Energy Bill has been reported back from select committee with a few changes and the prospect of further amendment on some issues.

SolarZero liquidation complex - but sale possible

1 Jul 2025

It will likely take a long time to sort out the complexities around the liquidation of SolarZero, with a series of claims against the company adding to the myriad complexities in arrangements set up to manage its contracts and obligations.

Huntly deal closer

24 Jun 2025

The major electricity companies’ latest steps to secure the future of the Rankine units at Huntly power station are a major step forward in cooperation to ensure energy security.

Mercury on future and reforms

19 Jun 2025

Mercury said in presentation to investors that it has the potential to develop 5 terawatt hours of geothermal electricity generation post 2030.

Govt signals major change to oil and gas exploration rules

17 Jun 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | Resources minister Shane Jones has signalled a major change to New Zealand’s oil and gas exploration rules, with a plan to remove restrictions limiting oil and gas exploration to defined block offer areas and instead allow exploration permits across all of the country's territory.

Smelter ramps up production

17 Jun 2025

In a sign that the energy sector is increasingly confident of getting through the winter without a fuel shortage, the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is ramping back up production and electricity demand earlier than expected.

Electric firebricks: decarbonising high-temperature industrial heat

13 Jun 2025

By Ian Mason | A new technology could offer a more cost-effective solution than hydrogen to decarbonise one ‘hard-to-abate’ sector of New Zealand’s economy, as well as having ample potential for demand response as the electricity grid becomes more renewable.

Gas supply reducing faster than forecast

5 Jun 2025

By Liz Kivi | Gas reserves have reduced 27% as of 1 January 2025 compared to last year, according to data released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Surge of lobbying over electricity sector review

4 Jun 2025

Jostling and lobbying have intensified ahead of the release of a review into the electricity sector.

Could ‘orange’ hydrogen be NZ’s key to net-zero?

30 May 2025

By Liz Kivi | New Zealand could be sitting on resources for a thriving multi-billion-dollar, low-carbon hydrogen economy, which might even be capable of creating a net reduction of carbon dioxide, according to scientists.

Energy Minister Simon Watts addressing the CEP conference in Auckland this week

Watts talks big on energy reform, but barriers persist

29 May 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | Energy and Climate Change minister Simon Watts says the government is doubling down on efforts to boost renewable energy generation, streamline regulation, and drive private sector investment as New Zealand faces mounting energy security and affordability challenges.

Electrification challenge for politicians, regulators

27 May 2025

Rewiring Aotearoa is calling for stronger political leadership to bring its vision of a cheaper, cleaner and stronger energy system to life, with the launch of its policy manifesto today.

Business NZ Energy Council executive director Tina Schirr

‘More needs be done’ to restore energy market confidence: Energy Council

27 May 2025

The Business NZ Energy Council (BEC) welcomed the Government’s gas announcement as signalling “willingness to deal with parts of the issue from an energy supply perspective and aims to rebuild confidence in the sector”.

Resources minister Shane Jones

Govt consulting on hydrogen

26 May 2025

The government is consulting on proposed regulatory options for the development of naturally occurring and orange hydrogen.

Public distrust over electricity sector

22 May 2025

A poll found that nearly half of New Zealanders feel more concerned about their power bill than last year and believe breaking up the electricity gentailers could improve competition.

Flick flicked on

20 May 2025

There is a certain irony that one of the most vocal and public critics of the gentailers and the electricity market – Flick Electric – has been taken over by the largest gentailer – Meridian Energy.

Methanex closure comes early this year

14 May 2025

The almost-now-annual closure of Methanex has come earlier this year, giving more confidence that the electricity system will get through the winter without a fuel shortfall.

Genesis reports rising coal, declining gas

2 May 2025

Talks about the future of the third Rankine unit at Huntly continue as Genesis reported a third quarter result that showed the rise of coal and the decline of gas.

Benmore Dam

Energy sector urged to act early to cut risks, build winter buffer

1 May 2025

Transpower has clarified the process for accessing emergency hydro storage ahead of winter 2025, responding to concerns about New Zealand’s security of electricity supply amid a historically dry start to the year.

Winter’s tale of electricity market woes

17 Apr 2025

A study of last winter’s events in the electricity market has confirmed that the major players suffered from high prices, and there was little or no indication of them gaming the market with their wholesale pricing.

NZ provides $10 million boost to Vanuatu's renewable energy efforts

17 Apr 2025

New Zealand is boosting support to Vanuatu to recover from last year’s earthquake and develop its renewable energy sector to the tune of NZ$10 million.

Avoiding a repeat of winter 2025

8 Apr 2025

An analysis predicts that there is a strong probability the electricity sector will get through this winter without any generation shortfalls and avoid the wholesale price excesses of last year - if all goes to plan and diesel is not required for extended periods.

Biofuels key to food security and shipping resilience for NZ

7 Apr 2025

By Shannon Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand's reliance on imported fossil fuels poses significant risks for food security and shipping resilience in the face of global catastrophes, according to experts speaking at a recent webinar on biofuel self-sufficiency.

Battery storage at Ruakākā

Meridian set to build its first solar farm as Genesis stockpiles coal

2 Apr 2025

Meridian Energy is set to start construction on its 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm south of Whangārei in August 2025, with the project receiving a final investment decision and construction approval from the Meridian Board.

Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station in Iceland

Hotter and deeper: how NZ’s plan to drill for ‘supercritical’ geothermal energy holds promise and risk

2 Apr 2025

By David Dempsey, University of Canterbury | New Zealand’s North Island features a number of geothermal systems, several of which are used to generate some 1,000 MegaWatts of electricity. But deeper down there may be even more potential.

Altered image of the Slopedown site, part of a campaign poster from local group the West Catlins Preservation Society.

Contact to appeal Southland wind farm rejection

1 Apr 2025

Contact Energy says it will appeal the Southland Wind Farm consent rejection and reapply under the new Fast-Track consent process.

Climate change minister Simon Watts and Energy Resources Aotearoa's John Carnegie in conversation at Downstream

Is NZ heading towards another energy crunch?

28 Mar 2025

The major gentailers all put forward positive cases at last week’s Downstream conference that they had done all they could to avert a potential energy shortage this winter.

Wind farm rejection will delay Aotearoa’s energy transition

26 Mar 2025

Contact Energy's proposed wind farm in Southland has been rejected, a move the New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) says will delay the country's transition to renewable energy.

Energy sector faces complex affordability and security issues

25 Mar 2025

Energy affordability and security of supply were the key themes of the Downstream conference in Christchurch last week.

If NZ wants to decarbonise energy, we need to know which renewables deliver the best payback

21 Mar 2025

By Alan Brent and Isabella Pimentel Pincelli | A national energy strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand was meant to be ready at the end of last year. As it stands, we're still waiting for a cohesive, all-encompassing plan to meet the country's energy demand today and in the future.

Politics
More Politics >

ETS a ‘broken paradigm’ undercutting biodiversity efforts

25 Aug 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | Pure Advantage is calling on the government to reform the Emissions Trading Scheme, with a new policy briefing saying that New Zealand’s offset-heavy approach is a “broken paradigm” undermining biodiversity and shifting risk to communities.

Agriculture
More Agriculture >

International scientists slam NZ govt's proposed approach to methane

13 Aug 2025

New Zealand's proposed approach to methane emissions has again been attacked by international climate scientists, with a new study saying the attempt to redefine climate target-setting by livestock-exporting countries undermines the transition to a sustainable and equitable food system

Carbon emissions
More Carbon emissions >

Marginal drop in last year's regional emissions

27 Aug 2025

Regional greenhouse gas emissions were down slightly last year, with a fall in gas supply leading to a big drop in Taranaki, but more coal burnt leading to higher emissions in Waikato, according to new figures from Stats NZ

Transport
More Transport >

Fund for low emissions transport winds up

31 Jul 2025

New Zealand’s Low Emission Transport Fund has officially wrapped up, ending a nine-year programme that put hundreds of millions of dollars towards accelerating the country’s shift to cleaner transport.

Forestry
More Forestry >
Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts

Certainty crucial to emissions cuts – Watts

20 Aug 2025

By Shannon Morris-Williams | Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that policy certainty is the Government’s primary lever for unlocking private capital and meeting climate targets, telling a carbon forestry conference that ETS settings are 'locked' through 2030.

Business
More Business >

Climate-friendly investment still lagging in NZ

Tue 2 Sep 2025

While local financial firms have made recent strides in climate governance and emissions reporting, New Zealand’s institutional investors are still missing in action when it comes to backing clean technologies and climate solutions, according to a new report.

More in New Zealand: Energy
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