Watts warned about deindustralisation due to gas supply dwindling

Dwindling gas supplies have consequences, warns the regulator, the Gas Industry Company. (Image: NZME)

Thu, 13 Mar 2025

New Energy Minister Simon Watts has been warned he could be overseeing the continuing deindustrialisation of New Zealand because of dwindling gas supplies.The Gas Industry Company’s briefing to the incoming minister in January draws a picture of a mixed outlook, but possibly grimmer outcomes.The sector regulator said the total energy value of gas produced was down to around 135 petajoules (PJ) in 2023, and to 106PJ in 2024. For comparison, the entire electricity system produces around 120PJ/year. A decade ago, annual gas production was ar...

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