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Over 100 people turned up to a meeting in Taranaki this week to voice their opposition to the proposed LNG import terminal. And whether it was cost, emissions or safety, there were a range of concerns raised, as RNZ reported. As we have said from the start - and as a big research project that's set to be released soon confirms - there are cheaper, better ways to solve the dry year issue and LNG is too expensive to be seen as a solution to our diminishing domestic gas reserves.
Our analysis shows that diesel is a better bridging option than LNG as we continue to build renewables and this would also help bolster our fuel resilience.
Mike Casey sent a video message to the meeting and, as he said, rather than investing in vinyl, we should be investing in a Spotify subscription.
We currently have to burn stuff when the lakes get low, but we should be trying to keep the lakes high by using more renewables. Solar is the thing that excites Casey the most and it's particularly important in a dry year as there is more production, but there are some barriers in the way.
Community Energy Taranaki has been doing some great work advocating strongly with council for long-term, low-interest loans for electric upgrades. And now we need the Government to play ball.
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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