New Zealand: Energy

BP warned of political troubles in West Papua LNG project

10 Apr 2008

Human rights groups have warned UK-based supermajor BP that the $6 billion Tangguh liquefied natural gas project in West Papua, risks becoming embroiled in the province's volatile politics.

Minister: There's a place for nuclear

7 Apr 2008

The UK’s Trade Minister says he knows New Zealand is a nuclear free society – “and I don’t want to interfere in your affairs” – but Britain sees a balanced approach to future energy sources, including nuclear, as the right solution.

Study confirms 50% CO2 reduction from use of home-grown biodiesel

7 Apr 2008

High-quality biodiesel from oilseed rape, grown and produced in the South Island by Biodiesel New Zealand, is sustainable, emitting around 50% less carbon dioxide over its life cycle than mineral diesel.

Carbon News discovers "book-and-claim" scheme answer to bio-fuels impasse

4 Apr 2008

A Dutch-style book-and-claim scheme might be the best way through the bio-fuels impasse in the emissions trading scheme (ETS) debate, according to both Bio-fuels Manufacturers Association chairman Dickon Posnett and the New Zealand chief executive of British Petroleum (BP), Peter Griffiths.

Mallard foreshadows easier planning path for renewables, attacks polluters

4 Apr 2008

The Government is developing a National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation.

Oil stocks agreement signed with the Netherlands

3 Apr 2008

New Zealand and the Netherlands signed a treaty today which allows New Zealand to hold some of its emergency oil reserves in the Netherlands.

No timeframe on exploiting southern lignite fields

2 Apr 2008

Solid Energy (SE) is going to use its huge Otago-Southland lignite coal resource eventually – it’s just not sure when, according to the state-owned collier’s chairman, John Palmer.

NZ Windfarms increases stake in WindPower Maungatua

1 Apr 2008

Dunedin – WindPower Maungatua Ltd announced today that NZ Windfarms Limited has increased its 16.7 per cent shareholding in WindPower Maungatua to 50 per cent.

Mighty River Power committed to new geothermal development

1 Apr 2008

Mighty River Power Chair Carole Durbin has announced her board's commitment to support a new $450 million geothermal development proposed at Rotokawa, north of Taupo, with the final decision subject to completion of procurement contracts.

Skids under government’s bio-fuels mandate

31 Mar 2008

It looks increasingly likely that the Labour-led Government’s mandate for petrol and diesel to contain 3.4% of bio-ingredients from July 1 will be shelved – possibly for as long as it takes to develop second-generation bio-fuels.

Parker pooh-poohs 50% power hike report

31 Mar 2008

Self-interest is behind warnings that the Government’s 10-year ban on the construction of thermal power stations will hike power prices 50%, Climate Change Minister David Parker says.

Bio-fuels threaten food catastrophe

31 Mar 2008

The world is now just two years away from a food catastrophe caused in part by diversion of land-use to feed cars rather than people, according to a leading Indian academic.

Spot electricity market summary

27 Mar 2008

Environmental protests knock millions off Solid Energy's bottom line

26 Mar 2008

In a prescient remark, given Greenpeace’s blockage of the bulk coal carrier Hellenic Sea in Lyttelton a few hours later, Solid Energy chairman John Palmer has warned that customer uncertainty over the ETS is “raising the risk profile for the long-term security of Solid Energy’s domestic coal supply business.”

Meridian half-year profit $94 million - $175 million special dividend

26 Mar 2008

Meridian has reported a half-year after-tax result of $93.7 million for the six months ended 31 December 2007, compared with a restated profit of $116.6 million for the same period a year earlier.

Half year loss but Solid Energy forecasts profitability for full year

26 Mar 2008

Energy producer, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, has produced a net loss after tax of $2.7 million for the half year ended 31 December 2007.

Huntly sends electricity emissions into nosedive

20 Mar 2008

Genesis Energy’s new e3p combined-cycle gas turbine at Huntly slashed electricity generation emissions 10% in the 2007 December quarter compared to the same period in 2006, even though total thermal generation jumped 17%.

Queensland drives net solar cost down to under $1500 per household

19 Mar 2008

The announcement follows the inaugural meeting of the Premier’s Council on Climate Change, addressed by one of Australia’s greatest scientific minds, Dr Tim Flannery.

Government’s bio-fuel bubble fit to burst

17 Mar 2008

The bio-fuels bubble has exploded in the face of the Labour Government’s demand that they be incorporated into petrol and diesel mixes, according to the New Zealand chief executive of global energy giant British Petroleum (BP), Peter Griffiths.

Two marine energy fund applications

17 Mar 2008

Two applications have been received for the first $2m tranche of government grants under the Marine Energy Deployment Fund (MEDF).

EU pumps up minimum taxes for diesel to equal petrol

17 Mar 2008

Members of the European Parliament have decided the current EU-wide minimum rate of tax on diesel should be increased to match the current minimum rate for unleaded petrol, but no further.

Right House scores DOC carbon neutral contract

12 Mar 2008

Department Meridian Energy subsidiary Right House has secured the contract to help the Department of Conservation move ot its 2012 carbon neutral goal.

Half of inter-island pole 1 power link back before winter

12 Mar 2008

Transpower New Zealand says the mitigations needed to return a half pole 1 of the HVDC inter island link to service will be completed prior to winter.

Poll: National electricity grid greatly worries New Zealanders

12 Mar 2008

Eight out of 10 New Zealanders believe the national electricity grid needs upgrading. Some 42% think an upgrade is urgent, according to the results of a major new national poll by ShapeNZ.