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With the repeal of the oil and gas exploration ban, we're basically investing in Nokia after the iPhone was released. As Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Casey says, gas is inefficient, it's expensive, not much has been found in New Zealand despite plenty of attempts, and what we do have is running out faster than expected. So why are we investing in an increasingly obsolete technology?
We still need some gas for industry (which is by far the biggest user) and electricity generation (in the short-term), but continuing to back gas ignores economics, emissions and the role that cheaper, cleaner renewable electricity - much of it from large scale and rooftop solar and more of it stored in batteries - is playing elsewhere.
Critics of the ban suggest that it has led to deindustrialisation, but more renewables in the system should help to bring the price of electricity down (and more solar can bring it right down in the middle of the day). In the case of South Australia, that is attracting more businesses that want cheap, reliable, low-emissions electricity and we won't get that from gas.
Biogas isn't a saviour, either. Even if all sources of biogas in Auckland were activated, this would only meet 4% of the network's current demand. And hydrogen isn't ever going to be the sensible, safe, or affordable substitute.
When it comes to running our homes (and cars), electricity is the clear winner - unless you're keen to pay more to give your kids asthma, in which case gas is a great option.
There have been plenty of positive signals from this Government around solar and the geothermal strategy is promising, but encouraging and investing in gas is backwards looking.
New South Wales gets the memo about the importance of finance and announces scheme offering zero interest loans to households to upgrade to electric stuff; plug-in solar gets the tick of approval to go on sale in the UK soon and the New York Times says it could 'change America'; EVolocity takes electrification to the streets to gets the kids inspired (and eventually employed); a tour of the amazing recycling business Redwood Materials; Think Solar and BYD give it away now; and a skit that cuts close to the bone for many solar dads.
Read moreDownloadAdvances in technology and falling costs mean customer-owned solar and batteries can play a critical role in New Zealand’s energy infrastructure - improving affordability, resilience and sustainability. Multiple trading relationships (MTR) and peer-to-peer trading would enable this potential by increasing competition, customer choice, and innovation in the electricity market, unlocking greater consumer benefits from customer solar and batteries.
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