Energy Scenarios awards

We are delighted to see our Energy Scenarios nominated for two awards - the Sustainable Business Council's 2021 Outstanding Collaboration Award recognising the collaboration between BusinessNZ Energy Council and EECA, and an Open Source Award, celebrating our data visualisation app developed in partnership with Nicholson Consulting. We'll be sharing more of the results at upcoming events. Read more...

Impact Award winner addressing power poverty

Last month's Festival of the Future included The Impact Awards honoring some of New Zealand's emerging leaders. Among the winners was Inclusion Award winner Ezra Hirawani, Co-founder of Nau Mai Rā, an electricity retailer seeking to end power poverty in Aotearoa through the spirit of manaakitanga - care of others -  by letting whānau give back to kaupapa of their choosing. Read more...

Infratil commits to Asian renewable development

Infratil Limited have committed to the development of renewables in Asia establishing a new energy development platform headquartered in Singapore, to cover forecast global growth with $4 trillion dollars expected to be invested in the sector over the next decade. Gurīn Energy will invest in the development of wind and solar PV energy projects and storage solutions across Asia.  Read more...

Exploring long-term resilience, security

The Electricity Authority have released their initial review of August's electricity cuts. They are also investigating how to ensure a secure and resilient system over coming decades. Emissions targets and the Government's aspiration to achieve 100% renewable electricity will likely increase intermittent, renewable generation, presenting new challenges to the operation of and investment in the electricity system.  Read more... 

Decommissioning changes major deterrent

A smooth transition to lower emission fuels will require some ongoing investment in oil and gas. We will need to maintain our current infrastructure if we want to develop fuels like hydrogen or biogas in future. However the proposed Crown Minerals Act (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Bill makes it more difficult for investors and operators to do so. Read more...

Interested in enabling electricity innovation?

The Electricity Authority are seeking four new members to join the Innovation and Participation Advisory Group. The group focus on new technologies, business models and consumer participation. Applications close on 21 September.  Also noteworthy, the Authority's consultation on improving competition and innovation in distribution networks has been extended two weeks, now closing 28 September. Read more...

BlueScope release first Climate Action Report

BlueScope has released it's first stand-alone Climate Action Report. As well as a net-zero 2050 goal and target to reduce emissions intensity by 12% by 2030, the report introduces a new target to reduce non-steelmaking emissions by 30% and commits $150 million over the next five years to deliver on near-term actions. Availability of affordable renewable energy is one key enabler to achieve these goals.  Read more...

Genesis accelerates renewable generation

Genesis have announced three new renewable projects as part of its Future-gen strategy. It signed two agreements, a conditional 20-year offtake agreement with Tilt Renewables to support construction of the 75MW Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm in Northland, and a power purchase agreement to take up to 62.5MW from Contact's new Tauhara geothermal station development. It also signaled intent to develop up to 500MW of solar over the next five years. Read more...

Contact Energy to supply new data centre

Contact Energy are set to supply  flexible renewable electricity to a high-performance data centre for UK-based digital infrastructure company Lake Parime.  CEO Mike Fuge notes New Zealand's high levels of renewable electricity and the lower South Island's cooler climate were appealing to data centre operators supporting computing applications such as machine learning, blockchain, modelling, visualisation and artificial intelligence. Read more...