Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Report highlights risks to energy security

A Transpower report laying out the challenges that come with relying on electricity for our energy supply underlines the folly of the Government’s rushed decision to stop offshore petroleum exploration, National’s Energy and Resources spokesperson Jonathan Young says.

“The Transpower report points out the potentially massive costs involved in replacing our fossil fuel usage with electricity across the economy, and the risks of intermittent supply because of the nature of our electricity generation,” Mr Young says.

“We’ll need to build more than double the existing level of generation. This is the equivalent of 22 Clyde Dams by 2050 to meet the increased demand, we’ll have to massively upgrade our transmission system, and our energy supply will face risks.

“That means one thing – much higher power prices are coming.

Mr Young says the report comes hard on the heels of another from MBIE saying we only have ten years of depleting gas reserves.

“It’s disappointing that the Government’s decision was made without the benefit which highlights how irresponsible the decision-making process has been. They should have fed into a decision on where we are going on oil and gas, not the other way around.

“The Government’s announcement of no new offshore exploration and a review of any new onshore exploration in three years is already chilling investment plans due to raised sensitivity around sovereign risk.

“We know the policy is not going to reduce carbon emissions at all. And now we have increasing evidence that it will significantly damage our hard-won energy security.

“It is not only an own goal for the Government, it’s an own goal for New Zealand.

“What we need is a planned transition that manages energy demand and supply into to a low emission future, but at a pace that doesn’t destroy business confidence and our economic future in a single Parliamentary term.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.