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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.
There’s plenty of energy emanating from the ground at Te Puia in Rotorua. And there’s plenty of creative energy emanating from those studying at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Now there’s also plenty of electric energy, because the business has upgraded its fossil fuel vehicles and added a big solar system so they can run on the sun.
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