Topics tagged with 'Energy'
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.
Disaster as Trump’s energy policy totally disregards climate change
2 Apr 2025
COMMENT: Energy — where we get it, how we use it and what it costs — is fundamental to the quality and stability of modern life. It influences virtually everything we do and affects everything we hope to have in the future.
Hawke's Bay Schools Climate Change Challenge now open
1 Apr 2025
Media Release │ Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has announced the launch of the Hawke’s Bay Schools Climate Change Challenge, open to all schools across the region.
Trump administration cancels clean energy grants as it prioritises fossil fuels
1 Apr 2025
President Donald Trump’s administration is terminating grants for two clean energy projects and roughly 300 others funded by the Department of Energy are in jeopardy as the president prioritises fossil fuels.
Economy and climate go hand in hand – minister
31 Mar 2025
Growing our economy and reducing climate emissions go hand in hand, says Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts.
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.
Govt doubles smelter’s carbon subsidy against official advice
27 Mar 2025
By Shannon Williams | The government has increased the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter's free carbon allowance, ignoring official advice to boost the subsidy by a lower amount.
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.
Climate change causes rising global electricity demand
26 Mar 2025
Cooling demand as a result of record temperatures was a significant driver of power generation last year, according to the International Energy Agency.
Climate groups could beat Trump in fight for $20B. It may be too late.
25 Mar 2025
The Trump administration is hitting legal roadblocks in its attempt to revoke $20 billion in climate grants, but its efforts are already achieving one of the president’s key aims: throttling a crucial part of Joe Biden’s clean energy agenda.
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.
Iwi join discussion on geothermal potential
21 Mar 2025
Media release | Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand's geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
Greens call for agriculture in, forestry out of ETS
20 Mar 2025
Yesterday's failed Emission's Trading Scheme auction is 'another indictment' on the government's climate credibility, says Green Party co-leader and climate change spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick.
Trump vows to immediately ramp up US production of 'beautiful, clean coal'
20 Mar 2025
President Trump this week continued to make his environmental priorities clear by vowing to open up hundreds of coal power plants in the United States in an effort to advance competition against China.
'Fishing boat for energy' will make hydrogen as it sails
20 Mar 2025
Wind power has been rising significantly in recent years, and now accounts for about 8% of the world's energy production. By the end of the decade, it will be the second-largest renewable source after solar, having surpassed hydropower, according to the International Energy Agency.
Renters stand to gain the most from efficient energy use: EECA
19 Mar 2025
Research on how New Zealanders view and use energy in their homes shows a significant difference between homeowners and renters.
NZ, India touch on climate and energy at leaders' meeting
18 Mar 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi detailed plans for further cooperation between the two countries across a range of areas including climate and energy during their meeting in New Delhi this week.
Trans-Tasman cable: Thinking big or a waste of time?
17 Mar 2025
Plans to build a $12 billion cable linking the Australian and New Zealand electricity markets are certainly ambitious.
Genesis signs second biomass agreement
17 Mar 2025
Genesis Energy has signed another preliminary agreement with a potential biomass supplier to replace coal for Huntly power station.
Decreasing industrial demand 'alarming' - major electricity users
14 Mar 2025
The Major Electricity Users group says a drop in electricity demand from industrial is 'alarming' - and the latest data also shows a worrying lack of firming generation.
Shifting climate behaviours tops conference agenda
14 Mar 2025
Carbon and Energy Professionals (CEP) has just announced the first Keynote speaker for its conference in Auckland in May as Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, MBE.
High share of quarterly renewable electricity generation as industrial demand for electricity fell
13 Mar 2025
Media release | The latest Energy Quarterly data release from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) shows electricity generation in the October to December 2024 quarter was the lowest December quarter on record since 2016, says MBIE Domains Manager Amapola Generosa.
Electricity Authority backs six initiatives to power the energy transition
12 Mar 2025
The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko is providing enhanced regulatory support to six initiatives through its Power Innovation Pathway to accelerate Aotearoa New Zealand's energy transition, it announced yesterday.
US Supreme Court rejects Republican-led effort to halt climate lawsuits against oil firms
12 Mar 2025
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general in 19 states aimed at blocking climate change suits against the oil and gas industry from Democratic-led states.
NIWA offers hope for hydro
11 Mar 2025
Niwa has offered a glimmer of hope that the current extreme dry spell could be broken this autumn.
EU carbon market on course for highest CO2 price in the world by 2030: report
11 Mar 2025
Media release | LONDON: Europe's new Emissions Trading System is expected to have the world's highest carbon price in 2030 at 149EU, BloombergNEF forecast reveals.
Demand reduction deal as hydro lakes drop
10 Mar 2025
The electricity sector's preparations for a potential energy shortage this winter have continued with Meridian and Tiwai Point aluminium smelter agreeing for it to reduce demand.
Meridian's shocker result and way forward
7 Mar 2025
Meridian's was expected to be a shocker of a result and, as predicted, earnings, cash flow and net profit were all down for what was its worst ever half year report since listing.
Changes to electricity market rules could boost renewables
28 Feb 2025
By Shannon Williams | Lodestone Energy says that new regulations proposed for the energy market will improve grid efficiency, enable more solar and battery deployment, and deliver lower prices for consumers.
Gentailers take stock after winter energy crunch
25 Feb 2025
The half-year reporting season showed the different impacts of the difficult winter in 2024, with Contact and Genesis being the first to release results.
Carbon capture framework coming
24 Feb 2025
The government wants to bring carbon capture and storage into the Emissions Trading Scheme, with plans to introduce legislation for a Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage framework this year.
Renewable energy is a less costly, more efficient climate solution than carbon capture, study finds
24 Feb 2025
The benefits of investing in clean energy, including solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower, make renewables a more cost-effective option compared to carbon capture technology, according to a new study.
Genesis stocks up on coal
18 Feb 2025
Genesis Energy is prepared to burn up to 1.2 million tonnes of coal at Huntly Power Station this winter.
Watts waves the regulatory stick at gentailers
18 Feb 2025
Energy Minister Simon Watts said the Government would not accept another repeat of last winter's events in the electricity market but stopped short of saying what ministers would do if it did happen again.
China's 2024 coal projects counter climate goals: report
14 Feb 2025
China last year began construction on projects with the greatest combined coal power capacity since 2015, jeopardising the country's goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030, according to a report published Thursday.
Genesis and Foresta in biomass supply negotiation
12 Feb 2025
Media release | Genesis Energy Limited (GENESIS) and Foresta (NZ) Limited (FORESTA) have signed a term sheet to advance negotiations on the supply of torrefied black wood pellets for electricity generation at Huntly Power Station.
NZ needs $20b to meet 2050 energy needs
7 Feb 2025
New Zealand will need a minimum of $20 billion to meet the country's energy needs in 2050, according to new research.
FMA should expose 'greenwashing' investment funds - Coates
3 Feb 2025
If the Financial Markets Authority is serious about tackling greenwash, they should call out KiwiSaver and investment funds that claim to be ethical while investing in the worst fossil fuel companies, says Mindful Money's Barry Coates.
Adding coal to 'critical' minerals list makes NZ a global outlier
3 Feb 2025
The government's addition of coal to its list of 'critical' minerals goes against its own scientists' advice, and puts New Zealand out of step with trading partners, such as Australia.
Work begins on NZ's biggest solar farm
3 Feb 2025
Construction is set to begin on New Zealand's biggest solar farm, the Tauhei Solar Farm project, in the Waikato.
Mining strategy resurrecting 'same terrible idea' - Greens
31 Jan 2025
Resources Minister Shane Jones' new minerals strategy and critical minerals list have been met with criticism, with opponents questioning the long-term implications for both the economy and the environment.
Lodestone Energy's third and largest solar farm powers up
30 Jan 2025
Media release | Lodestone Energy, Aotearoa's leader in utility-scale solar generation development, has reached another significant milestone with its third and largest solar farm to date, Te Herenga o Te Rā, starting generation.
Offshore energy bill gets almost full support
28 Jan 2025
The Offshore Renewable Energy Bill received general support in Parliament when it received its first reading late last year.
Developers abandon applications to build wind farm off Australia's South West coast
28 Jan 2025
Two of the earliest proponents of an offshore wind farm in WA's South West are among several developers who are no longer applying to work on the project.
China to launch one-kilometre-wide solar farm into space
27 Jan 2025
Construction of a giant celestial solar farm is underway in China, with a scale comparable to creating a "Three Gorges Dam project above the Earth".
Science reforms could further erode climate expertise
24 Jan 2025
Foresters have welcomed the government’s sweeping science reforms, but leading climate scientist James Renwick fears a further erosion of expertise from the research sector.
EU’s solar and wind growth pushes fossil-fuel power to lowest level in 40 years
24 Jan 2025
Over the past decade, coal power use in the European Union (EU) has fallen by 61%, according to new figures from energy analysts Ember.
Simon Watts named energy minister
23 Jan 2025
Climate change minister Simon Watts has also been named energy minister in Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s cabinet reshuffle.
Waitangi Tribunal kicks off inquiry into climate change policy
20 Dec 2024
By Liz Kivi | The Crown has contributed to worsening the climate crisis as well as exacerbating impacts on Māori communities, a Waitangi Tribunal panel heard this week.
'A death sentence for our islands' - Pacific leaders respond to Australia approving new coal mines
20 Dec 2024
Media release | Despite making multiple international commitments to “transition away from fossil fuels” under both the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Talks, the Australian government approved three new coal mines earlier today at Boggabri, Caval Ridge and Lake Vermont Meadowbrook.
Are New Zealanders anti-climate?
Fri 29 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A global study claims New Zealanders have relatively anti-climate attitudes due New Zealand's "stable" climate belief systems – but one expert argues Kiwis accept the reality of climate change.
'Atrocious' and 'bizarre': experts slam Act Party's climate policy
Wed 3 Sep 2025
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.
Air NZ declares surprisingly low SAF prices
Wed 3 Sep 2025
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.
Flying still cheaper than trains on most EU routes, study finds
25 Aug 2025
If you thought European cross-border train journeys might finally be easier on the wallet than flights, think again.
NZ to host major conference on oceans and climate change
26 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is set to host the world’s premier gathering of marine climate change scientists next year.
Media round-up
15 Aug 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Australia could be about to leapfrog New Zealand on climate targets; 'strangled' rivers are fighting back; and 10 rangatahi will join Aotearoa New Zealand’s delegation at the United Nations' major climate conference in Brazil.
Are carbon credits becoming more acceptable?
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Google, Microsoft and SAP are just some of the companies starting to use, and talk about, carbon credits, which could lead to growth of carbon markets.
Welcome to Europe’s future Carbon Valley
Today 11:00am
Industrial clusters in Europe’s heartland look to carbon capture and storage to turn CO2 from climate liability into a commercial resource.
Carbon market still weak despite govt confirming tighter auction supply
28 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government’s commitment to keeping Emissions Trading Scheme auction volumes tight to 2030 has done little to buoy carbon prices, with an underwhelming response from the market following last week’s announcement.
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
The merchants of doubt are back
Wed 3 Sep 2025
OPINION: If you don’t follow climate policy closely, you might not know that the Trump administration is launching an effort to overturn one of the most fundamental pillars of American climate policy.
What does 'drier' really mean in 'green' homes?
1 Aug 2025
Media release - Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland | Researchers say green-rating systems could improve clarity and effectiveness by explicitly defining ‘drier’ and using two measures of humidity.
RMA to speed up fossil fuel consents
18 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | An energy lobby group has welcomed a last-minute amendment to the RMA that puts fossil fuels on the same footing as renewables, however a sustainable energy expert says the move “beggars belief.”
Toitū extending use of ETS forest carbon credits
25 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | Carbon certifier Toitū Envirocare has walked back plans to stop accepting Emissions Trading Scheme credits for offsetting, because there is still a shortage of local carbon credits meeting international standards.
Key orange roughy population on verge of collapse, govt considers closure
9 Jul 2025
Media release - Deep Sea Conservation Coalition | New data reveals that New Zealand’s main orange roughy fishery, accounting for half of the country’s total catch, is on the brink of collapse, with one model showing it may have reached that point already, and the government’s considering closing it.
Forest carbon stores massive blind spot - study
Today 11:00am
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand’s planted forests hold significant deep soil organic carbon — with over half of it stored below 30 cm, and much of it over 1,000 years old.
Time for Methanex to go – expert
Tue 2 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's looming gas crisis means Methanex should move elsewhere, according to sustainable energy expert Ralph Sims.
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.
India-Japan joint credit mechanism clears way for Paris goals amid North-South climate gridlocks
Today 11:00am
It offers strong bilateral model to scale climate finance, localise low-carbon technologies.
Hotter, longer, more frequent: NZ’s escalating heat risk
26 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Heat extremes in New Zealand will intensify faster than previously thought, according to a new study.
Greenpeace to forge ahead with legal fight after Fonterra sale
28 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Greenpeace says its greenwashing lawsuit against Fonterra will continue, despite the dairy giant selling off its consumer brands.
Shane Jones on climate change – it’s real, but…
15 Aug 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones believes climate change is real, but is uninterested in what is causing it and primarily focused on adapting to it.
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.
Media round-up
Fri 29 Aug 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Changes to road user charges will increase New Zealand's emissions; Climate Change Minister Simon Watts promises better access to hazard data for homeowners; and Kiwis borrow over $1 billion in ‘green loans’ for heat pumps and electric cars.
Will NZ walk away from the Paris Agreement?
20 Dec 2024
By Geoff Bertram | COMMENT: Unless the government can find very cheap offshore mitigation, the temptation to walk away from its Paris Agreement obligations may well be too strong to resist for a coalition government focused on fiscal austerity.
Apple Watch not a 'CO2-neutral product,' German court finds
28 Aug 2025
Apple can no longer advertise its Apple Watch as a "CO2-neutral product" in Germany, following a court ruling on Tuesday that upheld a complaint from environmentalists, finding that the U.S. tech company had misled consumers.
UK Conservatives pledge to get all oil and gas out of North Sea
Tue 2 Sep 2025
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will remove all net zero requirements on oil and gas companies drilling in the North Sea if elected.
NZ's latest climate target 'weak' – Climate Action Tracker
24 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's new international climate target to 2035 is weak, and could even allow for higher emissions than the 2030 target, according to a global scientific project that tracks government climate action.
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout.
Media round-up
22 Aug 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The climate advice the government didn't want you to see; New Zealand's groundbreaking climate law has become ‘a shell’; and could the Electricity Authority be about to inadvertently increase power prices?
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.
‘Plastic Cup’ competitions are cleaning up rivers in Hungary
Mon 1 Sep 2025
Afloat on DIY boats, teams of volunteers have removed over 450 tons of plastic waste from the Danube and its tributaries.
Significant environmental law reform risks NZ going from leader to laggard
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New legislation must strengthen environmental safeguards and policy-makers must approach reform with extreme caution, according to Environmental Defence Society reform director Dr Greg Severinsen in a new report.
How oil has brought Russia, China and India closer
Today 11:00am
Monday's meeting between Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi marked a rare display of solidarity - and an opportunity for Putin to engage directly with his country's top oil buyers.
Coal mining company continuing with fast-track plans despite costly protest
22 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A marathon 23-day coal bucket occupation protesting Bathurst Resources' plan to mine the Denniston Plateau ended on Tuesday, when Climate Liberation Aotearoa activists Rachel Andrews and Tāmati Taptiklis climbed down from the 80-metre high Stockton mine ropeway and were taken into custody.
Straterra has a new name: the New Zealand Minerals Council
16 Apr 2025
Media release | Straterra has been renamed as New Zealand Minerals Council, says chief executive Josie Vidal.
NZ homes could be fully solar-powered by 2032
Today 11:00am
Media release - Harrisons Solar | A surge in solar capacity has put New Zealand on track to generate enough solar energy to power every home in the country within the next seven years, according to new research.
Aotearoa's waters teeming with undiscovered seaweed species, scientist says
Today 11:00am
Media release - Earth Sciences New Zealand | Scientists believe they’re only seeing a snapshot of what could be living in our subantarctic islands and deep waters.
Climate groups want UK wealth tax to make super-rich fund sustainable economy
17 Jul 2025
Growing number of campaigners urge government to ensure green investment is not done ‘on backs of the poor’.
AI ‘slop’ websites are publishing climate science denial
Wed 3 Sep 2025
This appears to confirm the concerns of technology experts who have warned that AI “has the potential to turbocharge climate disinformation”.
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.
Tesla sales plunge 40% in Europe as Chinese EV rival BYD’s triple
Mon 1 Sep 2025
Sales of Tesla cars in Europe plunged in July, in the company’s seventh consecutive month of declines, while Chinese rival BYD saw a monthly surge.
Brazil issues last-ditch plea for countries to submit climate plans ahead of COP30
20 Aug 2025
Only 28 countries have submitted carbon-cutting proposals to the UN, with some of the biggest emitters yet to produce plans.
Proposal hikes Nelson landfill gate fees
Fri 29 Aug 2025
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | The cost of recycling is driving up landfill dumping costs in Nelson where gate fees are proposed to be hiked by $45 per tonne.
Gisborne art show highlights weather impact on well-being
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter|A Gisborne artist and community researcher is turning a study on how severe weather impacts health and wellbeing into an art exhibition.
Record UK wildfires have burned an area twice the size of Glasgow in 2025
12 Aug 2025
Wildfires have scorched more than 40,000 hectares of land so far this year across the UK – an area more than twice the size of the Scottish city of Glasgow.
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.
