EU Briefing

In July, I was delighted to travel to the EU to meet with energy leaders across the sector to discuss the subject of energy transition and how this has been impacted by the multiple challenges the EU is currently exposed to. The war in Ukraine has certainly triggered an energy crisis in Europe, I spoke with CEOs across the energy sector about the actions needed to accelerate the energy transition successfully, but also about the measures that need to be taken to mitigate the effects of high energy prices and protect consumers. Read more here…

Changes to the ETS

The Climate Change Commission has advised the Government to amend New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme. The Commission’s recommendations are significant: reduce auctioned units by 10 million between 2023 and 2026, introduce a two-tier cost containment reserve (CCR) in 2023, raise the CCR's trigger price and the auction reserve price. The Commission hopes these measures will reduce 'unnecessary' surplus credits. BEC has written a briefing outlining everything you need to know about the changes. Read more... 

Changes to the industrial allocation of the ETS

The Government has announced it is to introduce changes to industrial allocation policy in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). Industrial allocation changes will be progressed through a Bill that would amend the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA). This is scheduled to be introduced at the end of 2022. Read more...

Solar PV Global Supply Chains

The world will almost completely rely on China for the supply of key building blocks for solar panel production through 2025.” Today, China’s share in all the manufacturing stages of solar panels – such as polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells and modules – exceeds 80 per cent, The International Renewable Energy Agency argues that renewable energy deployment is vital to helping free economies from volatile fossil fuel prices and import costs. Read more...

Taranaki Regional Workforce Plan

In July, the Taranaki Regional Skills Leadership Group released its first Regional Workforce Plan (RWP), cross-cutting the region's food, fibre and energy sector.  An Industry Skill Development Plan for the energy sector is expected later this month, which will build upon the RWP. Both plans outline the actions and priorities needed for developing the skills of New Zealand's energy sector, futureproofing jobs in a net-carbon zero world. Read more...

BEC Energy 101 series

Explaining energy doesn’t have to be complicated. Introducing Energy101 – a new series from BEC designed to help everyone understand NZ’s energy system. In today's session you’ll meet PHD student and energy professional Karan Titus, who is doing some interesting things in the geothermal space. Watch the video here...

New Zealand freight & supply chain issues paper

Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport is leading the development of the New Zealand freight and supply chain strategy which seeks to identify what is needed to optimise the system in the coming decades. An issues paper went out for consultation and 83 individuals and organisations made submissions and a summary of the feedback can be read here. To access 59 of the submissions in full you can read more here.

Fonterra welcomes Milk-E, New Zealand's first electric milk tanker

New Zealand’s first electric milk tanker, Milk-E, has been officially launched by the Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon. Dr Megan Woods, in Morrinsville. Local Government, Iwi, Industry and Fonterra employees were also present to recognise the significant milestone in the decarbonisation of New Zealand’s heavy transport, while also recognising the team behind the build.

Read more...

Mercury partners with Hikotron on a nationwide EV charging network

Mercury is supporting Hamilton start-up Hikotron in its rollout of a New Zealand-made smart AC charging network for electric vehicles. Hikotron have rolled out several 7kW AC destination chargers throughout the Waikato region and are planning to expand nationwide, starting with 500 public charge points by 2026.

Read more... 

Decarbonising large energy users - sharing stories of success

Golden Bay, New Zealand’s only local cement manufacturer and distributor, have recently reached a milestone of disposing of more than 3,000,000 waste tyres as part of their manufacturing process. Replacing 50% of fossil fuels to power the manufacturing process and reducing CO2 emissions by 90,000 tonnes per annum, or the equivalent to the emissions from 19,5000 passenger vehicles. Another step towards continuing to reduce the carbon footprint across the business.