Expert report warns 20PJ gas shortfall by 2027 risks industrial closures, economic disruption

The projected gas shortfall of around 20PJ by 2027 threatens economic disruption. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 19 Dec 2025

New Zealand faces a growing and potentially acute energy security crisis over 2026-27 unless urgent action is taken to co-ordinate gas supply, fuel switching, and policy direction, according to the Gas Working Group’s final report.The group of industry experts said, “The risk of an energy shortage is real, growing, urgent – and current actions are insufficient.”It said domestic gas production has already halved since 2022 and is projected to fall 10 petajoules (PJ) short of demand in 2026 and by around 20 PJ in 2027.&ldq...

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