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The Government announced 9 February the decision to move forward with the procurement of an LNG import terminal. With funding for the terminal sourced through an electricity levy. LNG is being positioned as a backup fuel source to help reduce the impact of dry year on electricity prices. As BEC stated in our commentary on this issue, there are no easy choices to get through the energy transition and in the current context LNG appears to be the necessary course of action.
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National Infrastructure Plan | The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, has released the National Infrastructure Plan. New Zealand is changing fast. Shifting demographics, the impacts of climate change, and technological innovations are all reshaping the demands on hospitals, schools, water systems, transport networks and energy systems that New Zealanders depend on every day. The plan sets out a practical, affordable pathway to deliver the infrastructure that New Zealanders need to thrive over the next 30 years. Read the full plan here... | | | |
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Joint open letter by regulators | The Commerce Commission, Electricity Authority and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority have released an open letter calling for efficient solutions to growing networks. This letter challenges the electricity distributors to actively consider alternatives to building more poles, wires and other infrastructure to meet New Zealand's growing electricity demand. These non-network solutions include flexible electricity use and supply, energy efficiency, distributed generation and storage. | | | |
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The Government has confirmed that it will buy up to $200 million of new Genesis shares as part of a capital raise. The raise will support and advance the Government's goal of secure and affordable energy. This follows on from the commitments made, following the market review by Frontier Economics, that the Crown would take part in any capital raising needed for big new projects, ensuring that the Government was not a part of holding back new generation. The purchase of new shares will ensure that the Government retains a 51 per cent share of Genesis at the conclusion of the raise. Read the announcement here... | | | |
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2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting | The 2026 IEA Ministerial Meeting concluded this month. The two-day event was attended by top government officials from 54 countries, top executives from 55 companies, as well as leaders from a range of intergovernmental organisations. Outcomes of this meeting include the following. Agreement to move ahead on building deeper ties with Brazil, Colombia, India and Viet Nam. A special declaration endorsing expansion of cooperation under the IEA Critical Minerals Security Programme. The integration of the Clean Cooking Alliance into the agency. Read more here... | | | |
A tightening of sanctions on Russian hydrocarbons | Through February we have seen a further tightening of sanctions on Russian hydrocarbons. On the 24th the UK announced its biggest package of sanctions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine with nearly 300 new sanctions including targeting one of the world's largest oil pipeline companies, PJSC Transneft. EU sanctions remain in place, while earlier this month the EU proposed its 20th package of sanctions aimed at oil and transportation services. So far international sanctions have deprived the Kremlin of over $450 billion. Read more on the UK sanctions here... Read more on the 20th package of EU sanctions here... | | | |
National Renewable Energy Atlases - Guidelines | The World Meteorological Organisation has published a guide for national meteorological and hydrological services on developing high-resolution wind, solar and hydropower atlases using simulation, observational and climate projection data. The guide is not only a technical manual; it is a pathway to collaboration. It embodies the principle that no group can address the challenges of climate risks alone. Read the guide here... | | | |
How the transition is rewiring global trade | BloomburgNEF has for the first time produced trade-flow projections through 2050 encompassing 28 geographies and 28 transition-influenced product categories, including EVs, solar modules, batteries and battery metals. Also on the list: fossil fuels, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and other goods. They found that EV, battery trade more than triples, surging from $234 billion to $880 billion by 2035 while ICE vehicles decline. Fossil fuel trade, they project, will hold steady at $3 trillion until 2030, before entering a long period of decline through 2050. Read more here... | | | |
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BEC is currently working on the following submissions: BEC recently submitted on two EA consultations. The first was on 'evolving multiple trading relationships and switching' and the second was on 'Code amendment omnibus #6'. Both of these submissions can be found on our website via the link below. The EA announced this week that they will be releasing an additional consultation in relation to non-discrimination obligations, the RPCA, uncommitted capacity and other matters. This workstream follows on from 'level playing fields'. We are submitting on phase one of Transpowers system operator strategy, we are recommending that Transpower continues with their process of developing said strategy and have commented on specific areas where we see appropriate. View BEC submissions here... | |
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2026 sustainability professional's research | Led by Oxygen Consulting, and supported by the Sustainable Business Council and AUT, this year marks the 7th iteration of an anonymous survey which investigates role competencies, requirements, remuneration, training and development, and more. The research is open to anyone in private, public, and not-for-profit sectors with sustainability responsibilities as all or part of their role. The survey was launched earlier this month and remains open until the 2nd of March. Take the survey here... | | | |
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The Queenstown Electrification Accelerator (QEA) is launching a Solar for Renters Trial to make solar energy accessible for commercial and residential rental properties across New Zealand. By expressing your interest, QEA will work with you to explore the solar-for-renters options that best suit your needs. Your input will also help shape a program that works for both landlords and renters with the goal of enabling nationwide access to lower-cost energy for renters. If interested in participation register your interest here... | | | |
Standard review: utility-interconnected PV inverters | Standards New Zealand periodically reviewing joint AS/NZS standards that are over 5 years old to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and meet industries' needs. As part of this process utility-interconnected photovoltaic inverters - test procedure of islanding prevention measures is under review. This Standard describes a guideline for testing the performance of automatic islanding prevention measures installed in or with single or multi-phase utility interactive PV inverters connected to the utility grid. Find more here...
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In March we are amplifying the latest insights from across the sector and introducing a brand-new stream dedicated to leveraging technology across the energy value chain. Key topics for 2026 include: Leveraging data and AI tech, exploring the opportunities offered by demand flex, updates on the generation fleet and emerging biofuel options, reviewing the scope and benefits of industry collaboration, assessing the impacts of constrained indigenous gas supply, evaluating power procurement strategies and options, government and opposition energy priorities. | |
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