New Zealand: Energy
Channel Infrastructure’s profit increases, looks to a future in jet fuel
8 Sep 2023
Channel Infrastructure reported increased profit and forecast higher dividends as it released its results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.
NZ Oil and Gas reports higher production
5 Sep 2023
New Zealand Oil & Gas reported a $19.1 million net profit after tax for the year to June 30, down from the previous year’s $25.7m, reflecting spending associated with increasing oil and gas production.
Solar promises slowly rise
28 Aug 2023
After much talk and numerous announcements and re-announcements, it appears some grid-scale solar farms are finally nearing completion and others crawling closer to starting.
Analysts predict carbon price will hit $140 by 2050
25 Aug 2023
Analysts are predicting the spot price of NZUs will rise to $150 by 2050 - a level they say will negatively affect some of New Zealand’s big energy gentailers and encourage behavioural change from carbon polluters.
Renewables at record high - MBIE
18 Aug 2023
Eighty-seven per cent of electricity generated over 2022 came from renewable sources, while total energy supply from renewables reached 44% - a record high according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Hydrogen summit coming to Wellington
15 Aug 2023
New Zealand’s second international hydrogen summit, in Wellington next month, will feature international speakers representing global shipping and aviation.
Electricity markets paper brings back some old ideas
14 Aug 2023
Radical electricity market reforms including the separation of the major gentailers and the creation of a single buyer are two of the many, many options put forward in one of the Government's Energy Strategy consultation papers.
$2 billion climate fund to back 100% renewable electricity
9 Aug 2023
Investment giant BlackRock has announced a $2 billion climate infrastructure fund in New Zealand to unlock investment to support 100% renewable electricity generation.
Investment positive - but still hurdles to overcome to reach renewable electricity target
9 Aug 2023
By Ralph Sims | It’s been a good week for encouraging the uptake of renewable electricity generation in order to get closer to the Government’s 100% target by 2030.
Govt refers wind and solar developments for fast-tracked consenting
8 Aug 2023
The government is fast-tracking nine solar power projects and three wind farm projects, with the combined projects potentially generating nearly four times the output of the Clyde Dam.
Additional funding for energy centre
25 Jul 2023
The government has announced an additional $70 million of funding for Ara Ake future energy centre over ten years.
The world should fast track green energy. But not because of climate change
5 Oct 2022
A rapid transition to green energy is likely to save the world trillions of dollars compared to sticking with the current fossil fuel-based energy system, according to a new analysis.
Infra Com hot on renewables, cool on Onslow
13 Jun 2022
By Ian Llewellyn - Energy & Environment | The Infrastructure Commission believes that New Zealand has more than enough natural renewable energy resources to power the country’s zero carbon emissions goals.
The clean energy transitions enters hyperdrive
29 Nov 2021
After decades in which governments and industry groups have often assumed that the shift to renewable energy will be a financial burden, economists and analysts are increasingly making a case that the opposite is true: The transition will lead to cost-savings on a massive scale that will add to its momentum.
Green hydrogen’s falling costs undermines case for blue hydrogen
29 Sep 2021
New research predicts that green hydrogen — a clean fuel produced from water using renewables — will be comparable in cost and likely cheaper than blue hydrogen by 2030.
Getting fuel prices right is key to reducing carbon emissions: IMF
27 Sep 2021
Global fossil fuel subsidies amounted to $6 trillion in 2020, with more than 70 per cent reflecting "undercharging" for environmental costs, which makes it imperative to set the right price for fuels to reduce carbon emissions, the International Monetary Fund has said.
Coal prices surge as power crunch upends effort to cut emissions
22 Sep 2021
Prices for coal are surging around the world as a shortage of natural gas spurs demand for the dirtiest fossil fuel to generate electricity.
New Norwegian wind turbine five times more efficient
14 Sep 2021
Norwegian company Wind Catching Systems is developing a floating, multi-turbine technology for wind farms that could generate five times the annual energy of the world’s largest, single wind turbine.
G20 climate and energy ministers split over coal exit
27 Jul 2021
China, Russia and India are among countries resisting a timeline to phase out coal power generation, leaving it to leaders to resolve the impasse.
Convert Marsden Point to produce bio-crude: Bioenergy Assoc
26 Jul 2021
The government is asleep at the wheel and should be pushing for the Marsden Point Refinery to be repurposed to produce bio-crude, the executive officer of the Bioenergy Association, Brian Cox, says.
Climate change action will create millions of jobs
26 Jul 2021
Hitting global climate target could create eight million energy jobs mainly in the renewable energy sector, a new study says.
The future of energy is a symbiotic grid
26 Jul 2021
In a decade-long building boom of renewable energy, we’ve reached a milestone. There are now one billion watts of wind and solar installed across the world. That’s about half the capacity of all coal and three times that of all nuclear.
Firstgas ordered to withdraw misleading advert
23 Jul 2021
Firstgas has been ordered by the Advertising Complaints Authority to withdraw an advert that suggested customers could continue to use gas without contributing carbon to the atmosphere.
Bioenergy Assoc responds to environmental concerns
22 Jul 2021
Last week we published an article outlining the concerns of a coalition of zero waste and regenerative farming groups about the potential for biogas development to lock in unsustainable farming practices. Today the Bioenergy Association's executive officer Brian Cox responds.
Wind energy sector calls for G20 action
20 Jul 2021
The leading CEOs of the global wind industry have united to call on G20 members to show leadership in the climate crisis by raising national ambitions and urgently laying out concrete plans for increased wind energy production to replace fossil fuels.
Coal's share of electricity generation doubles in March quarter
11 Jun 2021
The first three months of this year saw the percentage of carbon spewing, coal-generated electricity double compared to the same period last year.
Fossil-fuel shares fall while clean energy is on the rise
1 Apr 2021
The value of share offerings in fossil fuel companies has dropped by almost 20 per cent since 2012, while low-carbon companies gained ground in a shift towards clean energy, a report by think-tank Carbon Tracker show.
We could be cooking with hydrogen by 2030
29 Mar 2021
New Zealand could start using a hydrogen-blended gas by 2030 and 100 per cent "green" hydrogen by mid-century.
The real reason humans are the dominent species
29 Mar 2021
Energy is the key to humanity's world domination. Not just the jet fuel that allows us to traverse entire continents in a few hours, or the bombs we build that can blow up entire cities, but the vast amounts of energy we all use every day.
Listen to experts on hydrogen, Minister says
26 Mar 2021
Companies getting excited about using hydrogen as a major energy source need to listen to the warnings of experts, the Climate Minister says.
Small nuclear power plants no use in climate crisis
25 Mar 2021
Claims that a new generation of so-called advanced, safe and easier-to-build nuclear reactors (small nuclear power plants) will be vital to combat climate change are an illusion, and the idea should be abandoned, says a group of scientists.
NZ's largest wind farm in $3 billion sale
15 Mar 2021
Wind farm developer and operator Tilt Renewables is being split between New Zealand’s Mercury Energy and Australian investors in a $3 billion deal announced to sharemarkets in both countries this morning.
The price of coal weighs heavy on planetary health
12 Mar 2021
The true cost of fossil fuels could be a quarter of the world's' GDP, scientists say.
Fertiliser execs position ammonia as a battery for hydrogen
3 Mar 2021
Ammonia has until now been used chiefly in the fertiliser industry as a way to return nitrogen to the soil. But it also has potential in boosting renewables – both as a replacement for hydrogen in long-haul shipping and as a way of storing and transporting hydrogen.
Get rid of coal by 2030, Guterres tells nations
3 Mar 2021
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on wealthy nations to end coal use by 2030 so the world can meet its goals to curb global warming, urging G7 nations to make that commitment before or at a leaders' summit in June.
Beef & Lamb: Bring on the carbon credits
2 Mar 2021
The sheep-and-beef industry says a Government report recognising carbon storage on farms is significant – especially if it opens the door to collecting carbon credits from mature native forests.
Gas firms target industrial ‘clusters’ for hydrogen
25 Feb 2021
Gas companies in Europe and America are looking at using the existing gas network to serve industrial “clusters” of hydrogen users in sectors like chemicals, cement and steelmaking, adopting a “phased approach” endorsed by the European Commission.
Power generators quiet about emissions
24 Feb 2021
Electricity generator Mercury noted in its financial update yesterday that the ClimCom draft report is good news for the renewable electricity sector.
India’s energy policy is key to the planet’s future
23 Feb 2021
Here’s the bad news: Unless India opts for a totally new energy policy - a revolutionary switch to a clean future - the world has no chance of avoiding dangerous climate change.
Oil and gas get emojis, why not wind power?
19 Feb 2021
Scroll through all the emojis on your phone, and you’ll find a gas pump, an oil drum, and … zero sign of clean energy.
Europe pulls ahead in global hydrogen race
18 Feb 2021
Most of the world’s planned hydrogen projects and the biggest chunk of related investments this decade are expected to be in Europe, a new industry report says.
Genesis puts another fossil-fuel unit on standby
15 Feb 2021
Genesis Energy says it is advancing plans for more renewable electricity generation – but is also preparing to fire up an extra fossil-fuel turbine at Huntly this winter if needed.
Solar power’s future could soon be overshadowed
15 Feb 2021
As more households and industries have opted to harness the sun’s energy, a small but definite shadow is nagging at the many manufacturers who have put their faith in solar power’s future.
Bitcoin uses more energy than all of Argentina
15 Feb 2021
Bitcoin is a huge energy hog. And Tesla's recent announcement that it had bought $1.5 billion bitcoin — and will soon accept the cryptocurrency as payment for its cars — will only encourage more energy usage.
Shell expanding gas business despite net-zero pledge
12 Feb 2021
Shell has set new carbon emissions goals to become a net zero carbon energy company by 2050, but will continue to grow its gas business by more than 20 per cent in the next few years.
Denmark to build 'first energy island' in North Sea
11 Feb 2021
A project to build a giant island providing enough energy for three million households has been given the green light by Denmark's politicians.
Shell targets power trading and hydrogen
2 Feb 2021
Royal Dutch Shell is betting on its expertise in power trading and rapid growth in hydrogen and biofuels markets as it shifts away from oil, rather than joining rivals in a scramble for renewable power assets, company sources say.
BlackRock threatens to sell shares in worst climate polluters
27 Jan 2021
BlackRock, the world’s biggest investment fund manager, has threatened to sell shares in the worst corporate polluters in a bid to support the goal of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Energy efficiency boosts jobs, says IEA
27 Jan 2021
Improving energy efficiency creates far more jobs than generating it, and at the same time provides a way out of the covid crisis by bringing prosperity.
Genesis says it will slash emissions
9 Dec 2020
The operator of the Huntly coal-and-gas-fired power station says it will cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
Gene tech reforms face political split
23 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams |The Government’s Gene Technology Bill continues to divide Parliament, after the Health Select Committee released its long-awaited report last week outlining key recommendations and lingering concerns.
Council buys dairy farm to help clean up Lake Rotorua
21 Oct 2025
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has bought a 266-hectare dairy farm in the Lake Rotorua catchment and plans to retire it from production to reduce nitrogen entering the lake.
Emissions down slightly - Stats NZ
24 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.5% in the June 2025 quarter, although the decline seems to reflect the economy continuing to contract rather than Aoteoroa inching towards decarbonisation goals.
Christchurch Airport boasts world-first liquid-hydrogen refuelling for test aircraft
Thu 30 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Local companies working on hydrogen-electric flight have made ‘a significant step forward’ in successfully filling aviation tanks with liquid hydrogen produced and stored on-site at an international airport for the first time.
From pines to natives: Nelson's forestry reset begins
Wed 29 Oct 2025
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | Nelson City Council’s transition away from clear-fell pine forestry is well underway with around 74,000 trees planted in the Maitai and Marsden Valleys this winter.
Vero warns losses to rise 26% by 2050 over extreme weather
Wed 29 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Extreme weather could drive a 19–26% spike in annual insurance losses by 2050, fuelled by rising seas and more intense flooding, according to Vero’s latest Climate-Related Disclosures Report.
