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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Rivers benefit as global warming pushes large glaciers into retreat
South Island rivers are benefiting from melting glaciers caused by global warming, but the extra flows will not last forever, warns a glacier expert.
Business News - Business needs real certainty of supply
Opinion ALASDAIR THOMPSON*
Business does not want the Government to return to direct regulation of the market through price and other controls. Nor does it share the Government's faith that renewable energy supplies will be adequate to meet the projected deficit.
Opinion ALASDAIR THOMPSON*
Business does not want the Government to return to direct regulation of the market through price and other controls. Nor does it share the Government's faith that renewable energy supplies will be adequate to meet the projected deficit.
Business News - Power without the rip-off
Opinion John Blakeley
In the report Electricity Supply and Demand to 2015, published last October by the Centre for Advanced Engineering and Sinclair Knight Merz, author Bryan Leyland said promoters of the wholesale electricity market contended that market forces would ensure new generating capacity would be built in time for when it was needed.
But this has not eventuated and New Zealand now faces a high risk of serious electricity shortages.
Opinion John Blakeley
In the report Electricity Supply and Demand to 2015, published last October by the Centre for Advanced Engineering and Sinclair Knight Merz, author Bryan Leyland said promoters of the wholesale electricity market contended that market forces would ensure new generating capacity would be built in time for when it was needed.
But this has not eventuated and New Zealand now faces a high risk of serious electricity shortages.
Carr accuses Howard of poor leadership
Bob Carr has today released a new report, sponsored by three Labor states, that he says shows that the cost to Australia of not joining the treaty will be higher than joining it.
Bob Carr has today released a new report, sponsored by three Labor states, that he says shows that the cost to Australia of not joining the treaty will be higher than joining it.
Gasfield's owners warn watchdog of blackouts
The three owners of the Pohokura gasfield have raised the spectre of blackouts and high gas and electricity prices if the competition watchdog rejects their application to sell Pohokura gas jointly rather than in competition with each other.
The three owners of the Pohokura gasfield have raised the spectre of blackouts and high gas and electricity prices if the competition watchdog rejects their application to sell Pohokura gas jointly rather than in competition with each other.
Copeland: Gas-for-electricity 'woefully inefficient'
In promoting wind, solar and hydro power generation, United Future's new energy spokesman Gordon Copeland today said he was opposed to the "woefully inefficient" use of natural gas to generate electricity.
"In energy terms it involves the downgrading of a superior and non-renewable energy. Rather New Zealand should explore the many opportunities, both domestically and internationally, to sell gas 'as is' or with value added, such as in LPG, CNG or gas to methanol," Mr Copeland said.
In promoting wind, solar and hydro power generation, United Future's new energy spokesman Gordon Copeland today said he was opposed to the "woefully inefficient" use of natural gas to generate electricity.
"In energy terms it involves the downgrading of a superior and non-renewable energy. Rather New Zealand should explore the many opportunities, both domestically and internationally, to sell gas 'as is' or with value added, such as in LPG, CNG or gas to methanol," Mr Copeland said.
Waste Management sees nothing but sun
At Waste Management's Redvale and Whitford landfills, the captured landfill gas is used by four 1MW generators to produce enough electricity to power around 3000 homes. "This energy recovery project provides additional commercial opportunity for the company in the sale of emission credits to other businesses," Ellis said. However trade in carbon credits was a complicating factor.
Such trading was provided for under the Kyoto Protocol and Waste Management had secured a trade with a Northern Hemisphere business.
However, the Government was considering a policy that would limit such deals.
At Waste Management's Redvale and Whitford landfills, the captured landfill gas is used by four 1MW generators to produce enough electricity to power around 3000 homes. "This energy recovery project provides additional commercial opportunity for the company in the sale of emission credits to other businesses," Ellis said. However trade in carbon credits was a complicating factor.
Such trading was provided for under the Kyoto Protocol and Waste Management had secured a trade with a Northern Hemisphere business.
However, the Government was considering a policy that would limit such deals.
Alternative energy
Solar, wind, wave and sewage gas - alternative power sources.
Lisa Pester and her husband are quietly smug. The country is in the grips of a power crisis, but they have electricity to burn. And they haven't paid a power bill in five years.
Solar, wind, wave and sewage gas - alternative power sources.
Lisa Pester and her husband are quietly smug. The country is in the grips of a power crisis, but they have electricity to burn. And they haven't paid a power bill in five years.
Making your home more energy-wise
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority gives us tips for making your house more comfortable and economical to live in.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority gives us tips for making your house more comfortable and economical to live in.
Energy answer is blowin' in the wind
Opinion:JOHN BLAKELEY
The root cause of the developing problem is that for the past 15 years, since the Ministry of Energy was abolished, successive Governments seem to have had a non-policy on energy.
We have continued to have a Minister of Energy but no ministry because energy supply has been regarded as being like any other commodity, rather than a vital national service.
The flaws in having a non-policy are now becoming evident, with electricity shortages looming in three to four years and the likelihood of considerably increased greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.
Opinion:JOHN BLAKELEY
The root cause of the developing problem is that for the past 15 years, since the Ministry of Energy was abolished, successive Governments seem to have had a non-policy on energy.
We have continued to have a Minister of Energy but no ministry because energy supply has been regarded as being like any other commodity, rather than a vital national service.
The flaws in having a non-policy are now becoming evident, with electricity shortages looming in three to four years and the likelihood of considerably increased greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.
RMA changes for renewable energy, climate change
The government is amending the Resource Management Act to give greater weight to the national benefits of renewable energy and to give a clearer mandate to consider the effects of climate change.
The government is amending the Resource Management Act to give greater weight to the national benefits of renewable energy and to give a clearer mandate to consider the effects of climate change.
Energy mistakes must not be repeated, say Greens
Green Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is warning that New Zealand will lurch into another energy crisis if we repeat the mistakes of the past.
Green Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is warning that New Zealand will lurch into another energy crisis if we repeat the mistakes of the past.
Gas rundown - Methanex slashes production 60pc
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said the Maui rundown meant that some thermal power stations might have to switch to oil or coal as a fuel.
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said the Maui rundown meant that some thermal power stations might have to switch to oil or coal as a fuel.
Maui gas estimate hits big users
Contact Energy's chief executive, Stephen Barrett, said it was investigating whether it could also use oil at the 400 megawatt New Plymouth power station.
Contact Energy's chief executive, Stephen Barrett, said it was investigating whether it could also use oil at the 400 megawatt New Plymouth power station.
Rolling Stones
Give a free concert in LA to support action on global warming.
Give a free concert in LA to support action on global warming.
The Ecologic Foundation - on Climate
Ecologic view on climate policy issues for NZ
Ecologic view on climate policy issues for NZ
Low lake levels causing concern
New Zealand has started 2003 with low water inflows and below average hydro storage at a time when the lakes usually refill.
Wellington energy consultant Patrick Harnett said national hydro storage was about 400 gigawatt hours below average, 900 GWh below this time last year and 750 GWh lower than 2001. New Zealand uses about 90 GWh to 110 GWh of electricity a day. "So it's a long way down compared with where it was last January," he said.
New Zealand has started 2003 with low water inflows and below average hydro storage at a time when the lakes usually refill.
Wellington energy consultant Patrick Harnett said national hydro storage was about 400 gigawatt hours below average, 900 GWh below this time last year and 750 GWh lower than 2001. New Zealand uses about 90 GWh to 110 GWh of electricity a day. "So it's a long way down compared with where it was last January," he said.
Gas cuts threaten power supplies
Electricity supplies were on a knife-edge late yesterday in an unplanned shutdown of the Maui gas field which forced at least two large industrial users to slash production.
Electricity supplies were on a knife-edge late yesterday in an unplanned shutdown of the Maui gas field which forced at least two large industrial users to slash production.
Gasfield owners to resist claims
Mr Matthes, of the major users' group, said Wednesday's failure showed a need for a greater spread of fuel sources and another coal-fired power station had to be built, regardless of the Government's commitment to emission reductions under the Kyoto agreement.
Mr Matthes, of the major users' group, said Wednesday's failure showed a need for a greater spread of fuel sources and another coal-fired power station had to be built, regardless of the Government's commitment to emission reductions under the Kyoto agreement.
Shell may cut estimated size of Pohokura gas field
New Zealand's largest new gas field, nearly half-owned by Shell New Zealand, may hold less reserves than initially thought, the Pohokura joint venture partners said today.
New Zealand's largest new gas field, nearly half-owned by Shell New Zealand, may hold less reserves than initially thought, the Pohokura joint venture partners said today.
Coal may ease energy crisis
Solid Energy expects to put forward at least one detailed proposal for a coal-fired power station this year as New Zealand grapples with potential shortages of hydro and gas resources.
Solid Energy expects to put forward at least one detailed proposal for a coal-fired power station this year as New Zealand grapples with potential shortages of hydro and gas resources.
