Free Articles | NZ Energy and Environment Business Week

Bryde’s whale death reignites Hauraki Gulf protection calls

Ports of Auckland fights battles on many fronts, most notably with its workforce in recent months, and it has diced with Aucklanders’ view of …

Aussie miner’s fresh moves on Buller plans

Perth-based Bathurst Resources is ramping up coal production from its Cascade mine as it awaits project approvals for its major development of the South …

Solid’s solid earnings outlook

Forsyth Barr analysis says Solid Energy’s profits are on track to rise by as much as 96% over the next five years. The company …

Pollution has massive cost in Europe

The European Environment Agency warns air pollution caused more than 100bn euros in health and environmental damage, highlighting the need for more renewables sources …

More dangerous goods aboard stricken Rena

More bungling on the Rena was revealed last week when Maritime NZ announced an urgent investigation into the late disclosure by the Mediterranean Shipping …

The Main Report Group’s “Sacred Cows” Survey Reveals The Retirement Age Must Rise, No Support For MMP And Too Many Parliamentary Seats

After 12 years on the front line in politics Simon Power concluded Parliament is too often afraid to tackle the “tough issues” for fear …

Arctic ozone hole expands rapidly

A huge hole which appeared in the ozone layer above the Arctic is the largest recorded in the Northern Hemisphere, triggering worries the event …

Research to help eroding sand dunes

Residential property management company Quinovic and the Dunes Restoration Trust of NZ have established a post-graduate Study Award to help combat the wide scale …

Investors not yet mad for EnergyMad

Eco-lightbulb manufacturer and marketer Energy Mad is extending its initial public offering to October 12, having failed to reach its minimum capital requirement of …

CERs ban imminent under ETS

Environment Minister Nick Smith is signalling electricity generators, the transport fuel sector and major stationary energy users such as steel, aluminium, cement and glass …

Total ban on cows in freshwater in Canterbury

Canterbury Regional Council has released new rules on stock access to waterways to come into effect in June 2012.
All stock are excluded from …

Sad end for insulation pioneer

EnergySmart, the home insulation installer that helped pioneer the schemes which became the highly successful, multi-party endorsed Warm Up NZ insulation subsidy programme, has …

ETS: Nick Smith’s Gordian knot

Last week’s release of the ETS Review Panel report was remarkable in many ways. Here are a few:
• The mainstream news media barely touched …

Bricks made from sewage

Yorkshire Water and Leeds University have developed bricks made from the waste products of sewage treatment. The blocks combine ash from incinerated sewage with …

Z faces $35m rebrand

Z Energy, owner of the former Shell chain of petrol stations, faces several months of review before committing to a $35m spend to refit …

Olympus puts sparkle on gold

The principals of Toronto-listed Olympus Pacific Minerals are in NZ at present, taking a roadshow to the main centres to talk up the prospects …

Lanzatech keeps the wins coming

Lanzatech’s potential to crack a huge opportunity in the bio-fuels market has taken another small, but significant step forward, securing funding from the US …

Bird flu back on global agenda

Here we go again. The UN warned last week the H5N1 bird flu virus is again on the rise, for the first time since …

US Presidential candidate ‘denies’ climate change

Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry has lashed out at believers of climate change, claiming scientists are coming forward in droves to question whether global …

Lobby groups in toilet paper win

Environmental groups have scored an easy win after The Warehouse suspended orders of Cottonsoft toilet rolls, pending an investigation into evidence the product is …

Christchurch rebuild plan: Blueprint or wish-list?

Last week’s publication of a blue-print for Christchurch was a major step forward, but there are still some big wrinkles to iron out. Perhaps …

Rivals grizzle as figures confirm Contact loss

Contact was expecting nothing but bad news from the latest customer switching stats from the Electricity Authority, and it wasn’t disappointed.
A total 8,034 …

Why we’ve axed Lord Monckton

The visit to NZ by self-proclaimed global climate science expert and sceptic Lord Monckton has provoked accusations from supporters there has been a deliberate …

Home heat and insulation schemes merged

The Govt is putting its home insulation and clean heating schemes under a single umbrella to drive efficiencies and end a distinction which was …

Powershop best retailer, survey says

Consumer magazine’s latest poll of its membership finds satisfaction levels are highest among customers of Meridian subsidiary Powershop.
Genesis subsidiary Energy Online comes in …

Power prices to surge upwards again?

Highest priced electricity retailer TrustPower reckons the combination of a return to economic growth, an end to SOEs scrambling for customers in new areas, …

Greenhouse policy group slams carbon half-tax

The Greenhouse Policy Coalition, representing major industrial emitters, is challenging the presumption an Aust carbon tax at $A23 a tonne should pave the way …

BBC accused of being ‘too balanced’

A review of science reporting by the BBC has concluded the global broadcaster could afford to give less time to fringe views, which are …

Lightly explored Northern Basin ‘unattractive’

Claims by Greenpeace the Govt had a hand in ensuring no exploration permits were issued for the Northland or Reigna basins may be true …

World watch: Food supply problems for Australia?

Leading scientists at The University of Melbourne’s Four Degrees or More? conference say Aust could face food shortages if the temperature continues to rise. …

42 litres of water needed to grow a kiwifruit

Kiwifruit export monopoly Zespri has calculated the water footprint required across the lifecycle of its green kiwifruit and found it takes 42 litres to …

US renewables generation surpasses nuclear

The US Energy Information Administration says generation from renewable sources has surpassed production from nuclear sources, and is now “closing in on oil.” The …

As Pike Commission opens, was Ean Higgins right?

The Pike River commission of inquiry is due to kick off next week, and the scoundrel Aussie journo Ean Higgins at The Australian has …

Gillard warns on climate doomsday

Aust PM Julia Gillard has set the scene for an intense debate on her carbon tax by invoking a doomsday-like scenario of metre-high sea …

Ningaloo coast added to UNESCO world heritage list

Australia’s Ningaloo coast, a complex of reefs, caves, streams and shallow waters, and the Kenya lake system in the great rift valley in Africa, …

$1000 sweetener for energy efficient businesses

Wellington companies are being offered up to $1,000 to improve energy use, in partnership between EECA and the Wellington City Council, under the newly …

NZOG puts faith in Arab spring

NZ Oil & Gas is staking some of its future on a politically stable outcome from the so-called “Arab Spring,” announcing it has won …

Short-term hedge market promoted

One proposed wholesale electricity market initiative which might have helped prevent the events of March 26 is creation of a short term forward hedge …

Jellyfish boom threatens marine food chain

New research suggests jellyfish may be producing more carbon than the oceans can cope with. US research has found while bacteria are capable of …

Save carbon by killing camels

The Australian government is considering awarding carbon credits for culling wild camels to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Three proposals are being put forward under …

‘Odd’ May as temperatures up 2.2 degrees

In Wellington, confused deciduous trees are only now producing autumn colours and losing leaves, while in Auckland men stride the streets in shorts and …

World watch: Climate on brink after record emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest carbon output in history, putting hopes of holding global warming to …

Tui mine’s $16.2m clean-up

NZ’s most dangerous contaminated site at Tui Mine on Mt Te Aroha will benefit from a $16.2m clean-up fund, announced as an agreement between …

Gas exploration: Strange tales on Sunday

Once again, the Sunday Star-Times has devoted substantial space not only to bagging NZ offshore oil and gas exploration, but also to doing so …

Infratil books $55m from share in Z

Z, the petrol company formerly known as Shell NZ, improved earnings on a current cost basis by $20m in its first year under 50-50 …

How much will energy sales net?

Meridian Energy offers the biggest return to the Govt in the proposed partial sale of energy assets to raise between $5bn and $7bn by …

Four-year hedge on Tekapo output eases path for Meridian

It’s all systems go for ownership of the 185MW of installed generation at the Tekapo A and B hydro stations to switch from Meridian …

‘Buying green’ a status symbol

A major complaint about being green has been the higher cost of environmentally friendly products. But new research is showing this is not necessarily …

EDS hosts oil and gas exploration debate

Opposition to petroleum mining continues to gain currency, with the latest media scares relating to proposals to explore off Golden Bay and the sabotage …

Solid’s results not shaken by quakes

Despite the catastrophic Christchurch earthquake in February, Solid Energy is reporting a strong uplift in sales and production in its latest quarterly report for …

Climate change causing earthquakes?

Researchers claim long-term climate change could be responsible for moving the Earth’s tectonic plates. A team of scientists based in Australia, France and Germany …

World Watch

Ethiopia To Push On With Nile Dam Plan. Ethiopia is pushing ahead with a controversial plan to build a massive dam on the Nile. …

Biotech firm gets $2.9m to produce omega-3

A NZ company seeking to make a high value product used in cardiovascular treatments from marine micro-algae has attracted $2.9m in funding from the …

Firms give cold shoulder to ETS

With submissions due in this week for the David Caygill-led review of the emissions trading scheme, a new study for the MED suggests the …

Are pesticides killing honey bees?

The UK Govt may investigate a possible link between a new generation of pesticides and the decline of honey bees.
It is suspected the …

Forest owners to measure own carbon emissions

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has announced new regulations which will see large forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme using personalised carbon …

Highlights from NZ Energy Quarterly

The Ministry of Economic Development’s latest energy quarterly statistics are out for the three months to December 31 last year and show, among other …

Generation: Winter Looks Safe For Next Four Years: Transpower

Transpower has published its first Annual Security Assessment since picking the job up from the now defunct Electricity Commission. Consistent with last year’s assessment, …

Environment: Marine And Coastal Area Bill – What To Think?

John Key’s hope for an “elegant solution” to replace the 2004 foreshore and seabed legislation is dead as a dodo, and the country is …

Conservation: Three Marine Reserves Declared Around Sub-Antarctic Isles

Three huge marine reserves are to be declared in NZ’s sub-Antarctic region. One reserve will cover the entire territorial sea, out to 12 nautical …

Pollution: Clean Air Deadline Extended

The deadline to meet air-quality standards has been relaxed, giving more time for heavily polluted municipalities to clean up their act. The Govt says …

Energy Privatisation: Will Mums And Dads Bite On Low Return SOEs?

Most commentary on the Govt’s new partial privatisation policy has focused on the predictable political lightning rods of rising power prices and the potential …

Energy Business: End Of An Era – Richard Tweedie Retires From Todd Energy

One of the NZ oil and gas sector’s most colourful characters, Richard Tweedie, is to retire on December 31 as chief executive of Todd …

Mine Disaster: Can Pike River Coal Survive The Wait For Multiple Inquiries?

The scale of the human tragedy at Pike River Coal mine is now sinking in. Attention is inevitably turning to the future of the …

Consents: Fed Farmers Fear NPS For Mackenzie Basin

The extreme sensitivity of the farming lobby to changes to national water policy is writ large in the angry reaction from Federated Farmers to …

Wind: Windflow’s “Scottish Play” Takes Shape

Windflow Technology has taken its capital-raising proposals on a roadshow of media and investors over the last fortnight, drumming up support for the $5.4m …

Mine Accident: After So Much Other Trouble, Pike River Disaster Means Bigger Questions Inevitable

It’s too early to concentrate unduly on any issue but the tragedy which has befallen Pike River Coal and its workforce. The reality …

Emissions: Groser Emerges As Key Man At Cancun Global Climate Talks

International Climate Change Negotiations Minister Tim Groser is emerging as a key player at global climate change talks in Cancun, Mexico, from November 29 …

Energy Efficiency: LED Light-Bulbs – Here They Come

Light-bulb supplier Philips is making much of the fact it will be first to market in NZ with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs to replace …

Exploration: Kea Planning Up To Six Wells Early Next Year

Kea Petroleum describes potential for an “aggressive programme of up to six holes” to start in the first quarter of 2011, subject to MED …

Energy Effiiciency: Industry And NGO To Deliver Home Energy Rating SCheme

A Green Party initiative has ended up in the enthusiastic embrace of the building industry with Monday’s effective replacement of the EECA-developed Home Energy …

Exploration: Cue Energy Completes Third Farm-In For “High-Potential” Permits

Cue Energy, which has built up its cash pile to $A36m, is looking forward to drilling in its “high potential” WA permits. The company …

Energy Business: Auck Uni Spin-Off Launches Wireless Electric Car Charger

An Auckland University invention to allow electric cars to recharge while parked or on the move without plugging into anything has been launched in …

Pest Control: Parliamentary Commissioner For The Environment Wades Into 1080 Debate

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, is used to picking fights with politicians, corporates and environmental interest groups, but her decision to …

Wind: A Small But Important Win For Windflow

Two-bladed wind turbine manufacturer Windflow Technology has achieved an important opportunity to showcase its 500Kw Windflow 500 machine at the site of a windfarm …

Alternative Fuel: Export Success With Wood Pellets

SOE Solid Energy reports new export success with its wood-pellet fuel, after the completion of its $34m first stage of the Taupo wood pellet …

Electricity Sector: Networks Cry Foul Over Regulated Rates Of Return

Regulated rates of return for monopoly networks are set to become a battleground as the Commerce Commission sticks to its original thinking on “input …

Emissions: Consultation Begins On Forest Carbon Measurement

Consultation has opened on a proposed new approach for owners of post-1989 forest to more accurately assess the carbon absorbed by their trees. The …

Oil: Peak Oil Is A Price, Not A Supply Question

The Green Party made much of a research paper prepared by the Parliamentary Library on the future of oil to stress the urgency of …

Resource management: Urban RMA Changes Shift Power To central Government

Govt plans for “Phase 2″ Resource Management Act reforms have become a great deal clearer with the publication of last week’s consultation document on …

Generation: Power Projects Vital For NZ’s Growth

Meridian Energy says it is “very important” for NZ’s growth aspirations projects such as its $2bn 630MW Project Hayes wind farm and its $300m …

Exploration: Plans To Extend Life For Waihi Gold Mines

Newmont Waihi Gold has been granted land consents to build two access drives to its planned new Trio underground mine near Waihi which potentially …

Consent Process: MA Not To Blame For Infrastructure Hold-Ups

A major study of infrastructure planning issues by consulting firms Hill Young Cooper, and Enfocus says the Resource Management Act definitely delays and shapes …

Wind: Contact Back In Hearings On Two Key Wind Developments

Contact Energy has begun hearings for its two stalled wind projects, the 500MW Hauauru Ma Raki north of Raglan, and the 156MW Waitahora project …

Emissions: No ETS Review Decisions Before Election?

With about a year to run now until the general election, there are signs already of the Govt “shutting up shop” on some of …

Water: National Policy Statement Key To Next Steps In Water Policy

The Land and Water Forum’s landmark report on freshwater management policy hit the mark last week, because all 50-plus organisations represented in the consensus-building …

Exploration: Andarko Steps Up Its NZ Exploration Programme

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee took a rare few hours from overseeing Chch earthquake rebuilding to breathe life back into the Govt’s Petroleum …

Petroleum Conference: Hydrocarbons “By Far” Crown’s Most Valuable Resource

Known and prospective hydrocarbon deposits are by far the Govt’s most valuable resource, with known reserves worth around $4bn and, assuming field replacement over …

Petroleum Conference: Brownlee Kicks Petroleum Plan Back Into Life

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee took a rare few hours from overseeing Chch earthquake rebuilding to breathe life back into the Govt’s Petroleum …

Planning And Consents: EDS Hails Decision In Kaipara “Blank Pages” Case

The Environment Court has delivered an important signal to councils tempted to deal with intransigent objectors by simply closing down communications. In a case …

Exploration: More Wells At Kauri Field

Aust-based Origin Energy has drilled and completed 3 wells to exploit shallow Manutahi oil reservoirs and lift production from the Kauri field onshore in …

Generation: Asset Allocation Process Dragging On

The asset swap process between Meridian and Genesis is reported to be dragging on. The electricity reforms announced last December require Meridian to make …

Electricity Generation: Contact Energy Looks To New Era Of Profitability

After a torrid few years, Contact Energy is on the cusp of reinventing itself, and is again well-placed as the smart user of natural …

Coal: Massive Upgrade For Bathurst’s Buller Coal Resource

Bathurst Resources’ Buller Coal Project was already looking enough of a goer with an estimated 7.3m tonnes of high quality coking and thermal coals. …

Exploration: Disappointing Exploration Season Emerging

With the wildcat well at Tuatara-1 near D’Urville Island being plugged and abandoned by operator AWE this week, the much-talked up season of drilling …

Gas Sector: Gas Industry Council Threatens To Step In On Auckland gas Transmission Rights

A regulated solution is looming for access to Vector’s Auckland gas transmission network, with the potential loss of legacy contract rights for major gas …

Consents: Biggest Shake-Up For Local Govt Since Elwood?

Reports from TAGs on infrastructure and urban design landed on Ministers’ desks in the last fortnight, upping the ante for some big calls on …

Legislation: RMA Phase Two Update

Environment Minister Nick Smith laid out the agenda for “Phase 2″ reforms of the RMA in a speech last March which enumerated no fewer …

Water: Water Reforms To Stretch Beyond 2011 Election: Smith

Environment Minister Nick Smith has told NZ Energy and Environment Business Week the task of reforming national freshwater management policy will inevitably extend into …

Exploration: Heritage Gold Looks To Cobalt FLoat And New Talisman Partner

Heritage Gold expects to list a new cobalt mining operation in outback NSW before the end of the year, and will be looking to …

Mining: Brownlee’s Silk Purse

Overlooked in the coverage of Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee’s defeat on mineral exploration in conservation lands protected by Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals …

Wind: Genesis Proposes Whopper Wind Farm At Castle Hill

Genesis Energy is to seek resource consents to instal up to 600MW of new wind capacity at its northern Wairarapa site, Castle Hill, an …

Water: Captain Bisley Guides Water Report To A Landing

Land and Water Forum chair Alistair Bisley says the forum process should land safely by the end of next week, although as in all …

Exploration: Kupe Upgrade Good News For Origin, NZOG and Genesis

The Kupe oil and gas field holds substantially more light crude oil than previously estimated, as well as additional gas and LPG which will …

Water: Tempers Fraying As Water Forum Goes Down To The Wire

The temperature on key issues inside the Land and Water Forum is rising with only some 6 weeks to go before it must issue …

Mining & Conservation: The Mining Decision, Anatomy Of A Political Defeat

Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee first floated exploiting the nation’s most protected conservation lands – those covered by Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act …

Exploration: Big Jump In On-Shore Cheal Reserves

Canadian explorer TAG Oil is reporting a 450% increase in recoverable reserves from the Mt Messenger formation, in Taranaki, taking known and probable remaining …

Energy Business: Genesis Will Seek ETS Recompense After All

Genesis showed more political nous than Contact or Mercury by saying it would not be raising tariffs as soon as the ETS came into …

Mineral Extraction: Massive Offshore Iron-Sands Opportunities Identified

NZ offshore ironsands explorer Trans Tasman Resources (TTRL) believes a 10m tonne a year steel mill using local ironsands as feedstock could be established …

Exploration: Oil Production Becoming An Export Mainstay

An insight into the value of oil production to the NZ economy came with the disclosure the Tui offshore oilfield has yielded 28.15mmbbls of …

Wind: Windflow Chases British Windfarm Subsidies

A new British Govt incentive scheme for small-scale wind projects is causing rocketing demand for 500KW turbines, perfectly fitting the specifications of Christchurch two-bladed …

Electricity Generation: Knockback For Solid Energy West Coast Hydro Scheme

Commissioners for West Coast Regional Council have rejected Solid Energy’s plans for a 35MW hydro scheme co-ordinating with its Stockton plateau mining operation. In …

Electricity Industry: Small-Fry Showing Strongest Customer Growth

Latest figures from the Electricity Commission show small-fry new entrants to electricity retailing, Powershop and Pulse Utilities, are having the strongest customer growth. While …

Nuclear Shipments: Yellowcake Shipments Provoke Questions In Parliament

Shipments of uranium oxide or yellowcake are regularly moving through NZ ports in transit from Aust to the US. Ships carrying yellowcake shipped in …

Emissions Trading: Researchers Say ETS Approach Faces Eventual Replacement

Failure to replace the Kyoto Protocol with a new, binding global agreement on climate change will lead to greater use of carbon tariffs at …

Regulation: Vector Seeks Greater Leeway In Regulated Pricing

Vector is signaling it will challenge the Commerce Commission’s newly issued draft reasons paper on electricity distribution network regulated pricing, saying too little account …

Genetic Modification: Plant&Food Escapes Prosecution For GMO Release

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries isn’t going to prosecute Plant & Food Research under the HASNO Act, after the CRI dobbed itself in …

Privatisation: Argument Right, Timing Wrong On Solid Energy Sale

There would be few Ministers in the John Key Cabinet more enthusiastic about both the prospects for state-owned coal miner Solid Energy, and its …

Water: Central Plains Irrigation Scheme Gets Go-Ahead

Canterbury’s re-jigged Central Plains Water irrigation scheme finally got the go ahead, more than 10 years after the idea was first mooted, though the …

Carbon: NZ Carbon Trading Due To Begin

Carbon trading officially begins in NZ on July 1, though at this point no-one can say how active the market will be. Climate Change …

Broadband: Big Worries On Visual Impact Of Fast Fibre Network

The biggest hurdle facing the ultra-fast broadband roll-out could yet prove to be a public backlash about yet more wires in the air. Industry …

Exploration: Petrobras A Big Score For Brownlee

The Govt’s success in attracting Brazil’s energy giant Petrobras to join the NZ oil search – it will spend up to $174m over the …

Kiwis Still Want To Know About Mineral Riches: Poll

While the environmental movement now has the bit between its teeth on the mining issue, new polling from UMR Insight suggests a large majority …

Sustainability: Reality Check For NZ Exporters – Forget A Green Premium Says UK Retail Boss

There must have been a few bubbles burst at the EDS conference when Mike Barry, the head of sustainable business for UK retailer Marks …

Exploration: Roc Oil Leads New Near-Shore Exploration

The Ministry of Economic Development has granted a new, near-shore exploration permit (PEP52181), adjacent to the Rimu oil and gas field and the Kauri …

Regulation: EDS Calls For 40% Tax On Mining Profits

The Environmental Defence Society’s submission on Schedule 4 mining argues there is an “implied covenant” between the Govt and NZers national parks and “other …

Mining Controversy: Opponents And Supporters make Final Push On Mining As Submissions Close

NZ’s mineral resources lobby finally put up a bit of a fight for at least exploring Schedule 4 conservation land last week, as polling …

Energy Business: Aussie Windfarm Adds “Modest Risk” To Meridian, Says S&P

Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency says Meridian Energy’s purchase of the 70MW Mt Millar windfarm in South Australia will “modestly add” to Meridian’s …

Mining: Govt Rattled On Mining

There’s been a distinct change of mood in the Beehive on the mining issue, with senior Ministers’ aides openly discussing the likelihood proposals to …

Politics: Key Hints At Mining Royalties Review

While oil, gas and minerals are likely to take a back seat in next week’s Budget, to be delivered on Thursday, John Key is …

NZ Energy Production: Prediction..Geothermal To Be Nearly 20% Of NZ Energy Production

Output from geothermal energy could double to as much as 1400MW of installed capacity within a decade, and account for close to a fifth …

Electricity Business: NZX May Have One Clearing Party On The Hook

Local bourse operator NZX’s scramble to have its derivatives trading platform ready in time for the June 1 launch of a revamped wholesale electricity …

NZ Oil Exploration: “Greater Maari” Planning Begins

In its quarterly activities report Sydney-based Horizon Oil says it generated revenue of $US12.2m from oil sales of 162,583 barrels from the Maari field …

Key Hints At Mining Royalties Review

While oil, gas and minerals are likely to take a back seat in next week’s Budget, to be delivered on Thursday, John Key is …

NZ Water: High Take Water Metering Key To Allocation And Pricing

Environment Minister Nick Smith’s announcement all water-users taking more than 5 litres a second will have to meter their water by 2016 is not …

NZ Emissions Trading: Credits For Forest Owners, Debit For Taxpayers

Taxpayers may have to shoulder a looming $700m revenue “hole” in the emissions trading scheme. It’s because Govt estimates show forest owners will be …

Electricity Regulation: Electricity Reforms Will Strain SOE Balance Sheets: S&P

In its latest assessment of the electricity sector reforms credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s warns the Govt is likely to need to support …

NZ Water Policy: Collaboration on Hurunui Irrigation Project Vital For Water Policy

Conservationists and recreational users are staking out the Hurunui River irrigation scheme as a battleground on which the future of the Govt’s collaborative approach …

Energy Business: NZ Operator For Electricity Hedge Market “Preferable”

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says he would be “a bit disappointed” if NZX and the power company owners of the EnergyHedge trading platform for …

Conservation: Polls Show Mining “Don’t Knows” Have Hurt The Govt

You mightn’t think, looking at the most recent TVNZ polling the Govt has taken any knocks from the mining debate. But unpublished polling seen …

GM Organisms: Opposition Muted as Genetically Modified Organism Trial Given Approval

What goes around comes around, and last week it was approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority for trials which will allow genetic modification …

Oil Exploration: Oil Exploration Activity Rising

Oil and gas exploration is at levels not seen since the 1980s, with around 40 exploration wells to be drilled next summer. Currently, in …

Electricity Regulation: Tweaking The Electricity Industry Bill – What To Expect

The Finance and Expenditure Select Committee isn’t due to report back to Parliament on the Electricity Industry Bill until 15 June, but the outline …

Electricity Trading: NZX Struggling To Make Electricity Derivatives Market Work

Efforts by local sharemarket operator, NZX, to establish electricity derivatives trading are foundering on its failure so far to find the backing of a …

NZ Oil Exploration: Brownlee Touts NZ As Destination For Petroleum Exploration

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee will be extending his international contacts in the energy sector at the 12th International Energy Forum in Mexico. …

Energy Business: Testing Times For Marsden Point Refinery

NZ Refining Co, CEO Ken Rivers says in his 35 years in the oil industry he has not experienced such testing times for the …

Environmental Regulation: Bazley To Replace ECAN Councillors In Canterbury water Shake-Up

Top public sector trouble-shooter Dame Margaret Bazley will replace the regional councillors at Environment Canterbury, with a mandate to address urgent water management problems …

Pollution: Crunch Time For Farmers On Water Quality

The extraordinarily disappointing results of the 2009 report under the Clean Streams Accord are a wake-up call Fonterra heard, but which provoked from the …

NZ Electricity Sector: New Electricity Board Named

The Electricity Authority Establishment Board, which will set up the Electricity Authority replacing the Electricity Commission, is to be chaired by Dr Brent Layton. …

NZ Resources: Review Of New Zealand’s Mineral Wealth Finds $194 Billion, Excluding Oil

Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee finally got his Review of Schedule 4 conservation lands report out into the open this week after weeks of Cabinet …

NZ Petroleum Industry: Shake-Up Coming In Petrol Station Ownership

A shake-up in petrol station ownership in NZ may reverse the dominance in the industry of international oil giants. Wellington based Infratil in conjunction …

NZ Environment: Call For Environment Ministry To “Lift Its Game”

Environment Minister Nick Smith says the Ministry for the Environment needs to “lift its game” over developing resource management and water policies. The ministry …

NZ Electricity Reforms: Government Electricity Reforms Cause Battle for Customers. Higher Prices

TrustPower sees another 12 to 18 months of intense retail electricity market competition, created largely because Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee’s reforms are forcing SOEs …

Exploration: GNS Report On “Promising” Reinga Basin

GNS Science says seismic and satellite data points to the Reinga Basin, off the northwest coast of the North Island, being one of the …

Exploration: Maari Field A “Success Story”

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says the Maari offshore oilfield is proving a success story of the petroleum sector, having produced 6.5m barrels …

NZ Infrastructure: Top Energy And Environment Infrastructure Issues Identified

With all the noise recently about the economics of building new electricity generation capacity, the Govt’s National Infrastructure Plan is notable for saying the …

NZ Oil Search: US Oil Giant Joins NZ Exploration

US oil explorer Andarko Petroleum is to take a 50% stake in a joint venture with Origin Energy to explore oil and gas prospects …

Coal Exploration: Prospects For Southland Lignite Development

American regulators have approved an experimental North Dakota coal-drying plant which has imported more than 400 tonnes of NZ lignite to test in the …

Energy Business: Energy Sector SOE Financial Reporting Needs Drastic Improvement

SOE Minister Simon Power’s requirement for Govt-owned businesses to start reporting their activities in the same manner as companies listed on the NZX is …

Consents: New Fines For Slow Consenting Councils

Local bodies failing to process resource consent applications on time will be slapped with a 25% penalty, ratcheting up at the rate of 5% …

Generation: Contact Steams Ahead On Geothermal Developments

Contact Energy’s application for a fast-tracked resource consent for the 250MW Tauhara geothermal power station will be the first to be considered by Environment …

Local Government: Environment Canterbury Report Puts Local Government Performance In Spotlight

Environment and Local Govt Ministers Nick Smith and Rodney Hide need to move quickly – possibly as early as this week – to deliver …

NZ Gas Exploration: Coal Seam Gas Prospects Beckon

L&M Energy, planning a merger with private sister company L&M Coal Seam Gas, could become NZ’s biggest coal seam gas explorer with 12 exploration …

Energy Business: “Devil’s Pact” On Conservation Land Mining

John Key has announced a kind of “devil’s pact” approach to mining on Dept of Conservation land by proposing a portion of the royalties …

NZ Water Allocation: John Key’s New Secret Weapon In The Economic Battle – Water

As predicted in NZ Energy & Environment Business Week in our first edition this year, water is emerging as one of the key economic …

Rural Issues: PGGRC And AgResearch Map Methane Genome In Cows

The Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Coalition has achieved what it believes is a scientific first which should help in the search for genetic ways …

Electricity Business: Fitch Sees Pressure On Electricity Retail Margins

The Fitch credit rating agency says electricity retailers will experience pressure on their profit margins in 2010, thanks to higher wholesale electricity prices, transmission …

Regulations: Smith Targets Looser City Limits In Phase 2 RMA Reforms

• Urban resources to be targeted
• High land prices a problem
• More work to be done
Environment Minister Nick Smith is signaling the Govt’s next …

Rural Issues: Mackenzie Basin Call-In Was Inevitable

Environment Minister Nick Smith’s decision to call in the Mackenzie Basin intensive dairy farming resource consent applications was almost inevitable, given the huge public …

NZ Politics: Fitzsimons Departure – Where To For The “2nd-Generation” Greens?

The departure from Parliament of former Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons clears the ground for the new generation of the party’s leadership – Russel …

NZ Resources: Details Of Government’s Minerals Push Close To Unveiling

• Late Feb/early March for details
• DoC unhappy – public supportive
• Expect “very large” numbers
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee is getting close to …

Energy Business: NZX Keen For NZ Electricity Derivatives As ASX Circles

NZX Ltd’s contract to manage the country’s rudimentary electricity hedge market is threatened by the speed with which Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee expects a …

Aquaculture: Aquaculture To Get Funding Boost

Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced an injection of $550,000 to the aquaculture market development contestable fund, which has been running for a …

NZ Gas Industry: Genesis Kupe Stake Tied Up In Asset Sale Political Knot

Genesis Energy is making no secrets in Govt circles that under new CEO Albert Brantley the SOE has no interest in remaining a player …

Energy & Environment Sector Predictions: 2010 – What To Look Out For In The Energy & Environment Sectors

There will be plenty of big issues this year, not least how and whether it will be possible to get the international negotiations on …

NZ Power Sector: Too Little New Generation Planned, EC Warns

In its draft system security analysis, which is out for comment until Jan 29, the Electricity Commission is warning electricity shortages may re-emerge as …

NZ Power Generation: Electricity Companies Should Breathe A Sigh Of Relief

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee’s electricity reform package is to think what might have been. At the beginning of …

New Zealand Exploration: Kiwi Software In Seismic Survey Work

A Singapore firm contracted by the Govt to conduct a $12m seismic survey of the Pegasus Basin and several other potentially oil or gas …

NZ Farm Emissions: Fed Farmers’ ETS Confusion

It’s history now, but in the wake of the rushed passage last week of the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Bill, there is …

NZ Resource Consents: Hayes Decision Causes Alarm Across Infrastructure Sector

Meridian Energy will appeal the Environment Court’s refusal of resource consent for the Project Hayes wind farm, saying it will block nationally-important infrastructure projects …

NZ Gas Sector: Tax Breaks Needed To Encourage Exploration For Gas-Only

• Oil and gas at centre of agenda
• “Special fiscal terms” for gas proposed
• NZ royalties already competitive
Improving the economics of NZ gas developments …

NZ Emissions Trading: Emissions Trading Scheme Bill Set For Rough Ride Through Parliament

• Further amendments to come
• Treasury miscalculates ETS costs
• Opposition flays flawed process
Parliament faces one of the more shambolic legislative processes between now and …

NZ Post Control: It’s Time To Get Real About 1080 – It Works

The protest movement against the use of 1080 poison to control exotic predators held a national day of action on Sunday. It gained little …

NZ Wind Energy: Hayes Decision Raises The Bar For Wind farms

Wind farm proposals will have to include far more consideration of pure aesthetics, major landscapes, and commerciality if the standards set by the Project …

NZ Electricity Distribution: Big Transmission Charge Increases On The Way

Transpower is projecting double digit annual increases in transmission charges as upgrades to the HVDC link across Cook Strait, the new line through the …

NZ Infrastructure Planning: Further Resource Consent Knock Backs For Meridian

If it wasn’t bad enough having Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee blurting his personal opposition to its Mokihinui hydro scheme proposal, Meridian Energy ended another …

Electricity Supply Risks: Auckland Power Outage Should Never Have Happened

• Risk known and “managed”
• Risks included fatality
• Similar sites right through the country
The complacent state of NZ’s approach to health and safety …

NZ Power Transmission: Big Contract To Reinforce DC Interisland Link

Siemens has won the principal contract for the construction of Pole Three of the high-voltage direct current interisland link for state-owned grid operator Transpower. …

NZ Resources Exploration: NZOG Evaluating Projects Fit For Its War-Chest

NZ Oil & Gas is evaluating a number of new potential ventures, having found little evidence of “fire sale” opportunities during the global credit …

Electricity Customer Management: Meridian Shutters Flagship Customer Experience IT Project

• Customer experience IT downgraded
• No business plan after $20m+
• Genesis well placed on CRM
Meridian Energy has put its flagship retail customer project on …

NZ Carbon Offsets: Strong Interest In Carbon-Farming Forestry Grants

MAF reports strong uptake in the third round of its Afforestation Grant Scheme tender, with grants worth just over $4m granted to 42 projects …

NZ Oil Search: Horizon Oil Expands Its NZ Interests

Following the success of recent drilling round the Maari field, Sydney-based Horizon Oil which has a 10% stake in Maari has decided to execute …

NZ Mining Sector: Solid Energy Hits Record Profit Despite Global Slump

Don Elder, CEO at State owned Enterprise coal-miner and bio-fuels producer Solid Energy, struggled to hide his disappointment this week at announcing a record …

NZ Conservation Minister: Green Movement Caught Napping By Minerals Debate?

Could it be that the Govt has stolen a march on the environmental movement by reframing the debate about NZ’s mineral wealth in a …

NZ Electricity Reform – “Third Way” Emerges As Electricity Reform Process Approaches The Sharp End

• Asset swaps too hard
• Hedging as proposed won’t work
• Market maker scheme favoured
Electricity generators will be obliged to be two-way price makers in …

NZ Oil Exploration: Huge Pay-Off From Taranaki Oil

Partners in the Maari joint venture are buoyed by successfully reaching all the objectives in the drilling operations 80km off south Taranaki, with oil …

NZ Carbon Sink: Ngai Tahu Seeking $120m For ETS Impact On Forest Values

Environment Minister Nick Smith has given the clearest steer yet on the details of the deal with the Maori Party over treatment of Treaty …

NZ Emissions Policy: Damning Regulatory Impact Report On ETS Bill

Almost unnoticed in the fine print of the Emissions Trading amending legislation is the damning statement from the Treasury’s regulatory impact assessment team, which …

NZ Oil Exploration: Exxon Mobil Signals Pull-Out From Great South Basin

Exxon Mobil has given its strongest signal yet there is far less interest in the Great South Basin than its most enthusiastic boosters had …

NZ Emissions Reduction: Lincoln University Breakthrough On Nitrification Inhibitors

Lincoln University scientists have discovered more precisely how nitrification inhibitors work in the soil, leading to a potential breakthrough in reducing nitrous oxide emissions …

NZ Gas Reserves: Crown Minerals Starts P10 Gas Reserves Analysis

Crown Minerals has sought and been given extensive P10 oil and gas reserves data held by holders of NZ production field permits, in what …

NZ Oil Exploration: Exxon Mobil Signals Pull-Out From Great South Basin

Exxon Mobil has given its strongest signal yet there is far less interest in the Great South Basin than its most enthusiastic boosters had …

NZ Electricity Policy: Smelter Owner Backs Asset Swap, Coal And An End To Nodal Pricing

• Don’t touch Manapouri – Rio Tinto.
• Nodal pricing harms retail competition.
• Plan to run Huntly on coal.
Using 14% of total production, the country’s …

Why A One-Way Asset Swap Would Suit Genesis Fine

• Genesis self interest involved.
• Opens South Island retail market.
• Company not performing well.
Genesis Energy’s support for wholesale electricity market reforms giving it South …

Smelter Owner Backs Asset Swap, Coal And An End To Nodal Pricing

• Don’t touch Manapouri – Rio Tinto.
• Nodal pricing harms retail competition.
• Plan to run Huntly on coal.
Using 14% of total production, the country’s …

NZ Electricity Regulation: Electricity Commission Accepts Its Death Sentence

The Electricity Commission makes no attempt at its own salvation in its submission to the electricity market review, beyond pointing out it is already …

Agricultural Emissions: Serious Traction For Global Research On Ag Emissions

John Key and Climate Change Negotiations Minister Tim Groser are growing increasingly optimistic NZ’s initiative to create a global research consortium into agricultural greenhouse …

If The Cap Fits – Where To Now For The ETS?

The Emissions Trading Scheme Bill is scheduled to return to Parliament this Thursday, and the Govt will be wanting to make the deadline because …

Ambitious Programme For NZ Explorer

Listed NZ Oil and Gas is outlaying about $40m in an ambitious exploration programme this summer, participating in offshore wells to be drilled by …

Where Are The Extractive Industry Skills?

Environmentalists concerned by a rush to extraction may take heart, however, from the skills shortage which would almost immediately kick in if a significant …

Regulate To Create A Liquid Hedge Market – Meridian

Meridian Energy proposes the Govt require all electricity generators to bid a fixed proportion of their available generation into an electricity futures market to …

New Accord Between Miners And Environmentalists

Gold miners say an accord with environmental groups on the Coromandel and Govt stock take of resources on conservation land may offer a fresh …

Crafars A Lesson In How Not To Do It

The dairying Crafar family was a source of acute embarrassment for Federated Farmers and the Fonterra Shareholders Council last week. Fined $90,000 for failure …

Government Uses Maori Party To Get New Deal On Climate Change

• Watered-down ETS a credible start.
• Treaty assets detail undecided.
• Deal hands Labour a political weapon.
John Key and his Climate Change Minister Nick Smith …

Mighty Profit For MightyRiver

MightyRiverPower couldn’t contain its glee both at nabbing 33,000 new customers, mainly from Contact Energy, and posting a record profit, notwithstanding the widespread public …

Canterbury Water Strategy Draws Cautious Approval

Good process, good thinking, but are there too many layers here? This seems to be the emerging view of the draft Canterbury Water Management …

New ETS – It Needs A Regulatory Impact Report

There is at least one thing where everyone on the Emissions Trading Scheme Select Committee agrees with the NZ Business Roundtable – there cannot …

Mining On Conservation Land – National Lights A New Fuse

• Increased mining key to catching Aust.
• Conservation Minister endorses idea.
• Green groups and Opposition gear up.
If you thought PM John Key went out …

Canterbury Water Strategy Out

This Thursday’s unveiling of the Canterbury Water Strategy by Agriculture Minister David Carter represents a milestone in national water policy-making. As the most stressed …

NZOG Sees Big Potential In Albacore Prospect

Listed NZ oil explorer and producer NZ Oil and Gas is to take a 40% stake in the Albacore permit, covering 715 sq km …

Mining On Conservation Land – National Lights A New Fuse

• Increased mining key to catching Aust.
• Conservation Minister endorses idea.
• Green groups and Opposition gear up.
If you thought PM John Key went out …

ETS Horse-Trading Now Visible

The reportback by the Select Committee reviewing the Emissions Trading Scheme is the closest the outside world has to a guide to how multi-party …

Get A Move On – UN Climate Negotiator

United Nations chief climate change negotiator Yvo de Boer is expressing deep discontent over the pace of progress in the lead-up to the global …

Meridian Invests Millions In US Photovoltaics

Meridian Energy has taken control of California-based Cleantech America Inc, a photovoltaic electricity producer with a contract to construct the state’s first “utility-scale” solar …

“Drill Or Drop” Decision Looms On Great South Basin Exploration

Global oil giant ExxonMobil has seven weeks left to make the “drill or drop” commitment required under its exploration permit in the Great South …

Supply Limits Future For New Gas Fired Electricity Generation

• Contact cancels LNG terminal.
• Genesis cool on Rodney.
• Gas shortages for electricity by 2015.
The hardy perennial conundrum for gas-fired generations is back: where …

State-Of-The-Art Computer System For National Grid

State-owned Transpower has brought into operation a $70m upgrade of its computer system, from which it expects significant efficiency gains. Systems operations general manager …

Electricity Review – Things Which Might Never Happen

You could have heard a pin drop in the electricity sector when Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee released his much-awaited Ministerial Electricity Market Review. Private …

High Hopes For Expanding Maui Reserves

After the successful completion of the Maari development drilling programme, the Ensco 107 jack-up last week began drilling the Manaia-1 appraisal well to tap …

Restricted Trade In NZ Credits Possible As ETS Negotiated

The National and Labour parties are locked in negotiations to try to achieve a bi-partisan approach to an amended Emissions Trading Scheme, while the …

Electricity Review Makes Generators More Responsible?

All eyes in the electricity industry are on this week’s release of the results of the Ministerial Review of electricity market arrangements. While there …

NZOG Upbeat On Oil Prospects

Basking in what it calls the “outstanding” performance of the offshore Tui area oilfields, listed NZ Oil and Gas with $174.8m in the bank …

Aquaculture Reform Proposals On A Fast Track

An aquaculture Technical Advisory Group led by former Speaker and Fisheries Minister Doug Kidd has until the end of next month to produce a …

Staggered Emissions Targets May Hold Appeal

The Govt has plenty of conflicting advice on where it should pitch its national target for GHG emissions by 2020, relative to 1990 levels …

An Uncomfortable Question For Key

Speculation in Christchurch media Meridian Energy is about to be privatised was well over the top and drew a denial from John Key, which …

Explorers Need To Tap Coal Seam Gas “Sweet Spots”

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is enthusiastic about the future of a coal seam gas industry in NZ which he says has the potential to …

The Valero-Marsden Point Fit – Refinery In Takeover Sights

• NZ’s only oil refinery in play.
• Just as the “strategic asset” test is axed.
• Strong strategic fit for potential bidder.
The Marsden Point oil …

Warm-Up Scheme Hits Twin Targets

The Warm Up NZ scheme, which began on July 1 and is being run by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, appears to be …

UN To Investigate Rules On Shipping Emissions

The UN is discussing rules to cut rising emission of greenhouse gas from shipping. The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Environment Committee is drawing up …

Grid Operator Engaged In Huge Upgrade Programme

National grid operator Transpower, moving into the building phase of a 10-year upgrading programme, has $2bn worth of projects now in various stages of …

Could Hoki-1 Lead To The “Saudi Of The Deep South”?

“The biggest oil story of 2010″ is how the large Hoki-1 oil prospect 150km off the north-west of New Plymouth is being described in …

Energy Retailers Now Slammed For Actually Being Competitive

In the unloved world of electricity retailing, it is almost inevitable evidence of serious competition for retail customers would be reported as a waste …

Smith Under Pressure On Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target

• 40% by 2020 campaign has legs.
• Target impossible, says Smith.
• Farm lobby out of step.
Public meetings in urban centres will have left Environment …

Maori Look At Geothermal Power Development

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says he would welcome Maori investment in geothermal power generation in the North Island. He says the geothermal resource is …

Weldon Tells SOEs Pretend You’re About To Be Sold

NZX CEO Mark Weldon has given SOE directors a strong serve at a Treasury briefing on SOE performance, telling them they should drop their …

Inevitable Delay For Stationary Energy ETS Start – Smith

• Jan 2010 timetable “never achievable.”
• Cross-party talks to ease ETS timetable.
• 2020 target consultation starts.
Climate Change Minister Nick Smith’s acknowledgement the Emissions Trading …

Disband The Electricity CEO’s Forum For The Good Of The Market – MEUG

The Major Electricity Users Group is using the Ministerial Review of the electricity market as an opportunity to poke the borax at the electricity …

Welcome Mat Laid Out For Big Oil Explorers

Top Crown Minerals officials who have toured the world promoting the upcoming new blocks on offer in the deeper water Northland and Raukumara Basins, …

Pressure Grows For Comprehensive Delay To ETS

With the Select Committee reviewing the Emissions Trading Scheme now running some three months behind schedule, it appears inevitable a significant delay to implementation …

What Wolak Says On Asset Reallocation

Of the hundreds of pages making up the so-called Wolak Report on the use of market power in the wholesale electricity market, it is …

“Sorry Story” On RMA Consent Delays

A “sorry story of delay, frustration, and unnecessary costs,” is how Environment Minister Nick Smith describes the outcome for 16,000 homeowners, businesses and farmers, …

Tradeable Water Rights At Heart Of Water Reform

• Tradeoffs loom as agriculture intensifies.
• More central government control likely.
• Gambling on collaborative approach.
Environment Minister Nick Smith is hanging his hat on a …

Diverse Winners Of Green Ribbon Awards

Ports of Auckland and Ashburton District Council were among the winners of 2009 Green Ribbon Awards announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith. Ports of …

Kupe Project Close To Commissioning

The Kupe gas/condensate project construction is nearing completion at its south Taranaki production station, and work on testing the first of many systems involved …

Brownlee’s Electricity Review Committed To Dramatic Outcome

• Wolak disbelieved but politically potent.
• “Half-measures” deemed insufficient.
• Asset reallocation looking attractive.
Work is proceeding apace on the report for Cabinet from the Ministerial …

Fonterra Completes Carbon Study

Dairy giant Fonterra has completed an 18 month project which gives a first accurate picture of greenhouse gas emissions from its NZ operations. …

Huge Waikato River Clean Up Spend Coming

One of the biggest single pieces of new spending in the Environment Vote is the $60m-odd to be pumped into cleaning up the Waikato …

Wolak Critics Mount

The controversial Commerce Commission report into wholesale electricity market power has drawn surprisingly strong criticism from local analysts. As previously reported in NZ Energy …

Preparing For Climate Change Outcomes

Dr Roger Jones, an expert on climate change risk from Melbourne warns neither NZ nor Australia is spending enough to get native eco-systems in …

Boost For Bio-Diesel Producers

After dumping a mandatory requirement for bio-fuel to be added to petrol, the Govt is giving bio-diesel producers a boost with a $36m subsidy …

Wolak Reports – Now What?

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is briefly off the leash with a writ to lash the major electricity companies for the $4.3bn of “over-charging” found …

Contact Energy Goes Slow On Generation Projects

The engineers at Contact Energy must be wondering whether they will ever get to build a big new power station. The company has announced …

Tax Exemption For Oil Rigs

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says the international oil exploration industry is showing increasing interest in NZ. To build on this, the 2009 …

RMA Phase II – Nick Smith Gets Detailed

Environment Minister Nick Smith is carving up Phase II of the RMA reform like this.He is looking to establish a series of 10 workstreams …

Lowering Livestock Emissions

Agricultural experts are convinced new techniques can lower greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, effectively cutting NZ’s obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. Dicyanmide, known as …

More Govt Funding For Oil And Gas Exploration

The Govt has announced a renewed seismic survey programme to encourage oil and gas exploration around NZ. A total of $20m over three years …

Revised Policy Direction For Electricity Commission

The Govt, seeking to accelerate “prudent” investment in the national electricity grid, has revised its policy directive to the Electricity Commission. The new Govt …

In Defence Of Wind Farms

Meridian Energy’s West Wind farm began turning last week, with the blades of the 62 turbines reaching skywards to catch the nation’s most consistent …

Solar Still A Decade Away From Competitive Pricing In NZ

NZ’s Photo Voltaic (PV) market is small and there is little public policy focus, so costs tend to be 1.5 times higher than in …

Mobil Joins Carbon Tax Chorus, Shell Sides With Cap And Trade

Oil giants Mobil and Shell favour different outcomes from the special Select Committee’s review of the Emissions Trading Scheme, with the Exxon subsidiary calling …

More Reasons To Take It Slow, Urges Business Roundtable

The Business Roundtable continues to argue against market mechanisms and in favour of a tax to control NZ’s carbon emissions, and says new information …

“Negotiated Fees” For Complex And GM Releases

Application fees for new, non-GM organisms are to be cut in half to $16,875 under proposed new fee structures posted on the Environmental Risk …

The Market Teaches Contact A Lesson After Director’s Fees Fiasco

• Customer numbers at 7 year low.
• Disgruntled customers easy to shift.
• Improving marketing crucial.
The key distinguishing feature of Contact Energy’s spectacular collapse in …

Net Carbon Position Will Be Volatile Through To 2015

Release of new figures showing NZ can currently claim over-performance on its carbon reduction efforts caused some dismay and cynicism among commentators who have …

Hopes For More Gas From Maui

A $60m upgrade of the giant Maui gas-field, whose recoverable reserves have been estimated to be around 300PJ, could extend the life of the …

Contact’s Clutha Gamble – There’ll Be A Need For More Power In A Decade

• Construction not for 10 years.
• Long consultation process.
• Many ecological concerns.
The crucial factor in Contact Energy’s announcements on possible Clutha River developments is …

Crude Oil Output Builds Up

Oil production from the newly developed Maari field offshore in south Taranaki is up to 26,000 barrels a day, and a third production well …

13% Agricultural Emissions Cut Possible Today – At A Profit

The Sustainability Council has told the Emissions Trading Scheme Select Committee NZ is wasting the opportunity to make a major and profitable cut in …

So What’s The Answer To NZ’s Electricity Market Woes?

In the US, regulators are given some powers to move against profi-maximising “net pivotal” generators. “The short-term market operator … determines whether a supplier …

Crude Oil Output Builds Up

Oil production from the newly developed Maari field offshore in south Taranaki is up to 26,000 barrels a day, and a third production well …

13% Agricultural Emissions Cut Possible Today – At A Profit

The Sustainability Council has told the Emissions Trading Scheme Select Committee NZ is wasting the opportunity to make a major and profitable cut in …

Wolak Report Published On Internet Prior To Official Release

Pattrick Smellie – Associate Editor
• Secure report “released” via Google.
• The power of the net pivotal generator.
• Greater disclosure on the way.
In what must …

Feds Call For NZ To Follow Danish Lead On ETS

Denmark is showing the way for NZ to follow on emissions trading by ditching its proposed tax on farm animal emissions. FedFarmers’ Don Nicolson …

Farmers Lead Economic Optimism Stakes

Farmers are far less pessimistic about the outlook for their own businesses than any other sector of the economy. The National Bank’s Business Outlook …

San Lu Leaves Fonterra More Cautious – Ferrier

Fonterra has written off the value of its disastrous investment in San Lu but the impact of the tainted milk scandal has changed the …

Todd Energy On Potential Winner At Mangahewa

The Mangahewa gasfield, 18km south-east of New Plymouth, may be much larger than original estimates and could hold as much as 1000PJ of gas, …

NZ Could Lead World In Methane Reduction Research

One of NZ’s most respected climate change scientists says NZ is wasting an extraordinary opportunity to lead the world in research on reducing methane …

Trans-Tasman Emissions Trading Scheme Alignment Full Steam Ahead

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith is identifying a common trans-Tasman view on a carbon price cap as one of two “first order” issues to …

Shell Kisses Renewables Goodbye

Shell has announced plans to scale back its renewable energy business and focus purely on oil, gas and bio-fuels. The company says it is …

Ravensdown Seeks Local Phosphate As Cheaper Source

Major feritiliser producer Ravensdown has begun prospecting in Otago and South Canterbury for a cheaper source of phosphate rock as an alternative to currently …

Carbon Tax Better Than ETS, Select Committee Hears

The first round of public submissions on the NZ ETS show a late burst of enthusiasm for a carbon tax – at least as …

Clean Streams Still Fairly Grubby

Dairy industry progress on keeping effluent out of fresh waterways has stalled, according to the newly published 2007/08 Snapshot of Progress on the Dairying …

No More Carbon-Neutral Government

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith has axed five flagship Labour Govt programmes, which he says are “expensive sloganeering” and will help fill a $26m …

Mixed Fortunes for Energy SOEs At Half-Year

The energy SOEs produced mixed results for the half-year to December 31, 2008, reflecting a combination of high wholesale electricity prices, expanded generation portfolios …

Existing Mechanisms Inadequate For Water Management

Regional plans and resource consents emerge as inadequate to the task of ensuring good governance of water resources. This is the major finding of …

New Guidelines Say Be Careful Claiming Carbon Neutrality

With more and more firms claiming “green” credentials, the Commerce Commission has issued draft guidelines for consultation to help businesses stay on the right …

Turitea Windfarm Attracts 700 Submissions

Mighty River Power’s 122 turbine, 360MW wind farm proposal has attracted 700 submissions, 429 of them opposing the development in the Turitea Reserve, in …

Greenhouse Gas Calculations To Be Re-Done

Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling on officials to re-calculate NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions because they are growing more slowly as a result of …

Business NZ Report Takes Axe To Electricity Commission

The Electricity Commission is portrayed as a fish out of water in just about every area of its current remit, in a report prepared …

Brownlee Seeks Fast Track To Reform Electricity Market Governance

Pattrick Smellie, Associate Editor
• Electricity governance targeted.
• Struggle to control prices.
• Environmental outcomes less vital.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee used his first major speech to …

Environment Ministry Faces Job Cuts

Jobs will be cut and programmes scrapped under a review which will shave more than a quarter off the Environment Ministry’s budget. Environment Minister …

Greenhouse Gas Calculations To Be Re-Done

Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling on officials to re-calculate NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions because they are growing more slowly as a result of …

Brownlee Seeks Fast Track To Reform Electricity Market Governance

Pattrick Smellie – Associate Editor
• Electricity governance targeted.
• Struggle to control prices.
• Environmental outcomes less vital.
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee used his first major speech …

Outdoor Air Quality Still Wanting – Especially Down South

NZ’s outdoor air quality is improving, but fewer than half (42 %) of the country’s monitored airsheds complied with national standards for airborne particulate …

Wind Now Europe’s Fastest Growing Energy Source

New information shows more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) …

Green Ribbon Nominations Open

Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling for nominations in the nine categories of the annual Green Ribbon Awards, celebrating environmental champion. Categories are: Community …

Wind Now Europe’s Fastest Growing Energy Source

New information shows more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) …

Contact Cuts IBM From Enterprise System Replacement

Contact Energy’s $80m enterprise system replacement project appears to be in disarray after the company recently jettisoned IBM as manager for the project to …

Need for Aust And NZ To Co-Ordinate ETS Policies

Agriculture Minister David Carter believes Aust and NZ should co-ordinate their policies on emissions trading schemes. At their first bilateral meeting he told his …

“Positive Energy” House First For NZ

An Auckland company has developed what is believed to be NZ’s first “positive energy” house, which generates all its electricity from the sun and …

Low Oil Prices A Mixed Blessing?

While most businesses are heaving a sigh of relief after the collapse of global oil process last year, NZ’s oil exploration industry is not …

Stand-By Generation Plant In Wrong Place

A review of last year’s winter electricity shortage has proposed the $150m Whirinaki back-up power station needs to be re-located, and run on gas …

Taking Sustainable Building To The Max

Office products company OfficeMax NZ has set a new benchmark for sustainable building development with its new headquarters at Highbrook. The new 15,000sq m …

Call To Scrap Road User Charges For Diesel Cars

The Govt is being urged to abolish road user charges for diesel cars to help reduce greenhouse gases. Hyundai Motors NZ is leading the …

SOE Model Should Be “Revamped”

Treasury is calling for a revamp of the State-Owned Enterprise model used to run some of the country’s biggest businesses. It says the SOE …

Solid Energy Upbeat About Coal Seam Gas Potential

Solid Energy believes coal seam gas could eventually supply up to 10% of NZ’s gas demand. The SOE has launched a 1MW power station …

Fitzsimons Delivers Rebuke To “Smug” Farmers

Greens Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is warning NZ farmers not to get too self-righteous in the belief they are the world’s most efficient producers of …

Govt Backs Away From “Nanny State” Approach To Energy Efficiency

• Lightbulb policy set to be scrapped.
• National favours consumer choice.
• Out of step with Aust, UK and China.

The National-led Govt is signalling a …

Business Roundtable Wants Carbon Tax

The Business Roundtable has welcomed the Govt’s indication it will consider a carbon tax rather than the ETS. Executive Director Roger Kerr says its …

Carbon Traders Suffer Angst As Govt Dithers Over ETS

NZ’s fledgling carbon trading sector has been thrown into disarray by the Govt’s decision to shelve the Emissions Trading Scheme. While some form of …

New Minister Promises Fresh Look At NZ Resource Priorities

• Resources high on National agenda.
• Electricity price stability seen as vital.
• Balance of all factors in mineral search.
Gerry Brownlee, third-ranking Minister in John …

Transmission Pricing: One Of Electricity’s “Big Issues”

An NZ Energy and Environment Business Week analysis of the 19 submissions made to the Electricity Commission’s call for commentary on “the big issues” …

Top Ministers For Key’s Economic Priorities

Naming his new Cabinet on Monday, John Key has nominated third ranking Gerry Brownlee in the major posts of Economic Development, and Energy and …

National-Act Coalition Deal Puts Emissions Trading Legislation On Hold

• ETS implementation to be delayed.
• Forestry and business left in limbo.
• Nats still committed to Kyoto.
It’s pretty much back to the drawing board …

Insulation Fund To Go

$1bn of insulation retro-fitting for low income and elderly NZers’ low quality housing is almost certainly for the chop. The policy has unimpeachable long-term …

What Does National Mean For The RMA?

National has a two phase approach and will move in its first 100 days to make several initial changes to the RMA, but has …

New Govt Will Face Intense Pressure To Radically Revamp ETS

• Business, farmers seek changes.
• ACT opposes ETS and Kyoto.
• Host of amendments likely.

Big business and farmers are breathing easier after the election of …

No Retail Electricity Market Competition Reports Before Polling Day

Electricity companies need not have worried about long-awaited Govt reports into retail electricity competition being rushed out ahead of the election. There was a …

Key Fends Off Kyoto “Flip-Flop” Claim

John Key has been feeling the heat from Labour and the Greens over his views on climate change, as they continue to push the …

War Breaks Out Between Power Retailers As Customers Quit Contact Energy

• Contact could lose 5% of customers.
• Rival companies quick to muscle in.
• Contact defiant in fighting back.

Contact Energy is fighting to stem a …

Falling Exchange Rate Challenge For Wind Generation

The fall in NZ’s exchange rate could put a dent in the ambition of NZ’s power generators to move rapidly in expanding wind farm …

What’s Really Going On With Contact Energy’s Directors’ Fees?

It is surprising how superficially the media have treated Contact Energy’s announcement it has backed down on its proposed increase in Directors’ fees. The …

Contact Energy’s Image Takes A Public Beating After Price Increases

• Customer backlash feared.
• Contact’s message not getting through.
• Grid still a major concern.
Contact Energy got a sharp reality check last week when it …

SOE Looks At “New-Energy” Outcomes

Solid Energy, better known as the country’s biggest coal producer, aims through its subsidiary Biodiesel NZ to produce 70m litres of high-specification biodiesel by …

The Greens – Potentially Political Losers In The Current Climate?

It was always likely the opinion poll gap between National and Labour would start closing as the election approached. However, there was also evidence …

Transpower Seeks To Raise Its Game

State-owned Transpower which runs the national grid earned $108m in net profit in the year to June, down from $134m the previous year. It …

Where To For Climate Change Policy In The Event Of Global Recession?

• NZ business says hold on ETS.
• Aust business says yes, but slowly.
• Recession will hit climate change policy.

Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly’s call …

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