New Zealand: Energy
Heat waves threaten nuclear power production
5 Jul 2019
The nuclear power sector is often portrayed as resistant to unpredictable weather associated with climate change. But heat waves are punching holes in that narrative.
Today's power plants already lock in 1.5deg
3 Jul 2019
To stay within the Paris climate goals, coal and other fossil fuel-fired power plants would have to shut down early or be retrofitted for carbon capture.
Solar future shines ever more brightly
2 Jul 2019
The world’s solar future continues to brighten, further and faster than seemed possible only a few years ago.
G20 countries triple coal-power subsidies
26 Jun 2019
G20 countries have almost tripled the subsidies they give to coal-fired power plants in recent years. G20 countries have almost tripled the subsidies they give to coal-fired power plants in recent years.
Oil companies make carbon promise to the Pope
19 Jun 2019
Some of the major oil producers have pledged to support “economically meaningful” carbon pricing regimes after a personal appeal from Pope Francis.
Hydrogen could be big by 2050, say experts
19 Jun 2019
Engineers say there is no technical reason why hydrogen cannot replace natural gas to make electricity, heat homes and for cooking.
Hopes falter with coal still king across Asia
18 Jun 2019
A depressing picture of global power generation has coal still firmly on top. And in a vicious cycle, the very heatwaves and winter freezes that high carbon emissions cause seem to be increasing them.
Troubled gas supply means jump in coal emissions
14 Jun 2019
The repeated shut-down of the country’s largest gas field for maintenance has led to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions from coal-burning.
More rain brings big problems for dam builders
11 Jun 2019
For the builders of hydro-electric schemes – usually multi-billion dollar projects involving vast amounts of complex engineering work – changing rainfall is a serious problem.
It's going to take a long time, says former BP chief
10 Jun 2019
Former BP chief John Browne talks about squaring his business dealings with his personal convictions – and what he would say to Greta Thunberg.
Global natural gas boom about to slow
10 Jun 2019
The world’s appetite for natural gas grew at the fastest pace since 2010 last year, but that blockbuster growth is shifting into lower gear, according to the International Energy Agency.
Todd ups investment in renewable energy
28 May 2019
New Zealand’s largest private energy company is increasing its investment in renewables.
METHANE MOVES: Give poos a chance
15 May 2019
Technologies like turning human waste into electricity could meet a large chunk of the Government's 2030 methane reduction target.
Gulf states shape as green energy superpowers
3 May 2019
The economic and political energy systems suggest that oil-rich countries of the Arabian Gulf will continue to dominate energy trade even in the post-fossil era.
Dutch building string of solar islands
26 Apr 2019
Dutch engineers are building what will be the world’s largest archipelago of islands made up of sun-tracking solar panels.
Hydrogen has a place, says new Clark group
4 Apr 2019
Hydrogen fuel could replace the Huntly coal and gas-fired power station to give New Zealand a totally renewable electricity generation system, the Helen Clark Foundation says in its first foray into public policy.
Mercury gives go-ahead for Turita wind farm
28 Mar 2019
Energy generator and retailer Mercury says it is going ahead with what will be the country’s third-largest wind farm.
Taranaki eyes future in hydrogen economy
19 Mar 2019
Taranaki is talking up the hydrogen economy to replace its petrochemical wealth.
New ultra-thin material seen as breakthrough
19 Mar 2019
A new ultra-thin film that absorbs solar energy could revolutionise the harvesting of solar thermal energy.
HOT CHOCOLATE: Cocoa is helping to slow climate change
19 Mar 2019
If you like chocolate you’ll love this: the same tree that provides your indulgent treat is helping to slow climate change, thanks to cocoa fuel.
Hydrogen could be fuel of the future
18 Mar 2019
The fuel used to thrust enormous rockets away from Earth’s gravitational pull is hydrogen - and it also holds potential as a source of energy for daily activities like driving and heating houses.
Why radical plan to cool climate could work
18 Mar 2019
A new study contradicts fears that using solar geoengineering to fight climate change could dangerously alter rainfall and storm patterns in some parts of the world.
Coal-fired stations deliver danger dust
13 Mar 2019
Modern coal-fired power stations produce more ultrafine dust particles than road traffic and can even modify and redistribute rainfall patterns, a new 15-year international study shows.
Bioenergy body hails hospital move to wood
12 Mar 2019
A decision to replace two coal-fired boilers at Christchurch Hospital with boilers that burn wood will help to create confidence in the woody biomass market, the Bioenergy Association says.
Wind turbine pioneer slams NZ procrastination
11 Mar 2019
A wind turbine company set up to make New Zealand “the Denmark of the Southern Hemisphere” is barely surviving because New Zealand continues to prop up dying industries, its founder says.
Fossil-fuel wealthy Taranaki faces major rethink
5 Mar 2019
The New Plymouth District Council might need to rethink the services it provides for its residents as the district’s fossil-fuel wealth declines, says a report out today.
Biomass energy could punch hole in emissions
28 Feb 2019
New Zealand could slash five million tonnes off its annual greenhouse gas emissions through the use of biomass energy in factories and for heavy transport, new figures show.
Industrial plants see low carbon price as barrier
22 Feb 2019
Low carbon prices are stopping many large plants switching to low-emissions fuels, a report says.
Coal giant Glencore to limit production
21 Feb 2019
Commodities giant Glencore has bowed to pressure from shareholders to limit coal production for environmental reasons.
Big companies might leave, warns oil sector
20 Feb 2019
Cutting carbon subsidies for trade-exposed heavy emitters could see large companies leave the country, says the oil and gas sector.
Renewable energy will be tops by 2040, says BP
20 Feb 2019
Renewable energy will be the world’s main source of power within two decades, according to BP.
Labs busy finding new ways to power the world
12 Feb 2019
Laboratories can make energy from greenhouse gases, power smartphones with their own radiation, and cut shipping costs naturally. And each could become reality.
Why solar generation will be a big player
11 Feb 2019
Solar electricity generation has a big part to play in New Zealand’s low-carbon energy future, says the operator of the national grid.
BP acts on shareholder demands
4 Feb 2019
BP will have to set out how its strategy and investments fit with targets to limit global temperature rise, under a new resolution.
Tiwai could lead way in new-deal aluminium
22 Jan 2019
The owner of New Zealand’s only aluminium smelter says the country could have a bright future producing low-emissions aluminium for a carbon-constrained world.
Govt gives Foodstuffs $1m for green vehicles
22 Jan 2019
Food giant Foodstuffs is to get more than a million dollars of public money as part of a drive towards low-emissions vehicles.
BP faces shareholder challenge over carbon targets
11 Dec 2018
BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil face a shareholder challenge to set carbon targets in line with the Paris Agreement, as a green group seeks to repeat its success in pressuring Shell to set environmental benchmarks.
New round opens for Taranaki permits
29 Nov 2018
The process to issue new exploration permits in the last part of the country in which they are allowed is under way.
Biofuel land grab will squeeze nature’s space
22 Nov 2018
Growing enough greenery to provide cleaner fuel and slow climate change will need a biofuel land grab: a 10 to 30-fold rise in land devoted to green crops.
Dead fish new power behind high-polluting cruise ships
20 Nov 2018
Waste fish parts will be used to power ships in a new initiative to use green energy for polluting cruise liners.
NZ scientists work on safer batteries
16 Nov 2018
New Zealand researchers have created a new plant-based electrolyte that could be the key to making safer and more environmentally friendly batteries.
EECA wants feedback on $14m energy fund
14 Nov 2018
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is seeking feedback on its proposed $14 million energy levy-funded activities for next year.
Oil and gas exploration ban becomes law
8 Nov 2018
New oil and gas exploration is now banned from New Zealand’s waters and from most of its land.
Big hydropower dams unsustainable, says study
8 Nov 2018
Large-scale hydropower dams are unsustainable in the developing world, according toi new research.
Compressed air could be our energy friend
30 Oct 2018
If energy storage were available at sufficiently low cost and high performance, renewable energy would rapidly displace all other generation forms.
Oil countries will have to change their ways
30 Oct 2018
A changing energy system is posing “critical questions” for many of the world’s largest oil and gas producing countries, the International Energy Agency says.
Hydrogen offers hope for island dwellers
29 Oct 2018
Hydrogen power and renewable energy offer hope to islanders and others in remote communities who now have to rely on fossil fuels.
Offshore wind farms could tame hurricanes
25 Oct 2018
When high winds meet tall sails in the right place, something’s got to give. Offshore wind farms might lead to weakened hurricanes.
NZ signs hydrogen agreement with Japan
24 Oct 2018
New Zealand and Japan are working together to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels with the signing of an agreement on hydrogen, says energy minister Megan Woods.
Solar is here to stay, but where are the boats?
24 Oct 2018
There's nothing novel about vehicles using alternatives to the internal combustion engine, but solar and battery-powered boats are rarely in the conversation.
'Atrocious' and 'bizarre': experts slam Act Party's climate policy
Today 12:15pm
By Liz Kivi | The Act Party is promising to challenge New Zealand’s Paris Agreement climate target, while the coalition Government’s other minor partner, NZ First, also says it wants to reevaluate the country’s commitment to the international treaty.
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
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
Air NZ declares surprisingly low SAF prices
Today 12:15pm
By Pattrick Smellie | Air New Zealand is able to source sustainable aviation fuel at between 1.5 and 2.5 times the price of conventional fossil fuels used for flying, all sourced from the US.
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.
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.
