Solar picking up pace

Friday - The solar rush continues to pick up pace with Lodestone Energy starting construction on its fourth North Island utility-scale solar farm near Whitianga.

Rain, demand and prices fall

Tuesday - After more than a month of elevated wholesale electricity prices, heavy rain, access to gas and more wind combined to drive spot prices down to virtually zero dollars in the last week or so.

Offshore renewables plan ignores risks: environmentalists

Monday - The government’s plan for offshore renewables ignores environmental risks, according to the Environmental Defence Society.

Offshore electricity generation policy to speed up consents

6 Sep 24 - The Government reiterated the next steps of its ‘Electrifying New Zealand’ policy when it announced its response to the energy shortage. However, it also released details on how the offshore electricity generation regime would work.

Risks and rewards of LNG imports

4 Sep 24 - The move to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), mainly to power electricity generation, has had a mixed reaction among the major players.

Could we use hydro resources to ‘plug the gaps’ in NZ's electricity system?

29 Aug 24 - By Ian Mason | The recent spike in wholesale electricity prices due to a combination of fossil (natural) gas shortages and low hydro lake levels has prompted considerable discussion about ways to avoid this happening in the future.

Greenpeace slams plans for LNG import terminal

27 Aug 24 - Greenpeace has slammed the government’s plans for an LNG fossil gas import terminal.

Gentailers report mixed results amid pricing concerns

27 Aug 24 - Three of the four gentailers reported mixed results last week amid serious concerns about current wholesale electricity prices and long-term pricing.

NZ and UK set to partner on offshore wind

26 Aug 24 - Favourable winds may see New Zealand collaborating with the UK on renewable offshore power generation.

Gas deal done

20 Aug 24 - Methanex took one for the team and a hefty pay check when it closed down operations to sell a large amount of gas for Contact and Genesis.

Electricity Authority looks for answers at ‘tricky stage’ in energy transition

15 Aug 24 - The Electricity Authority says this week it will consider more possible regulatory interventions and release more data on wholesale electricity price volatility.

What can govt do about electricity sector's 'perfect storm'?

13 Aug 24 - As shortages of gas and water drive wholesale electricity prices to never seen before levels, the question is what, if any, interventions politicians might make.

Hope or hype? NZ needs to be realistic about the clean energy potential of green hydrogen

5 Aug 24 - By Ian Mason and Robert McLachlan | The recent failure of a deal to deliver hydrogen-powered trucks to New Zealand, and the removal of a NZ$100 million government rebate scheme for green hydrogen...

Meridian plans to ramp up new generation

8 Jul 24 - Meridian’s first investor day in three years was mainly an update on how it saw the sector and its business after the Tiwai Point smelter deal was finalised.

Govt restoring legal requirement to promote mining

13 Jun 24 - The government’s proposed reform of the Crown Minerals Act goes further than just repealing the 2018 ban on new petroleum exploration outside onshore Taranaki.

Climate activists force conference to move online

10 Jun 24 - A planned blockade by climate activists has forced organisers to cancel in-person elements of the Energy Resources Taranaki Forum, scheduled to take place on June 12.

Tiwai deal could lead to multi-billion dollar govt carbon pollution subsidy

5 Jun 24 - Rio Tinto could get close to a million free carbon credits each year under its new electricity supply deal for Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter - a government subsidy that could amount to a possible $2...

Rain brings relief to hydro lakes

24 Apr 24 - Recent heavy rain over the southern hydro lakes has given much needed relief as the major electricity companies reported on their performance to date.

NZ needs to electrify faster - gentailers

9 Apr 24 - MPs have agreed with concerns that if New Zealand does move faster to electrify the economy there will be consequences - including the cost of not meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

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