New gas-fired electricity generation needed now to reduce emissions

New gas-fired electricity generation needed now to reduce emissions
Gas may be a dirty word for some, but it is needed to power turbines says a Mercury executive. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
The electricity system needs to build new fast-fired gas electricity generation plant now, on a similar scale to the existing Huntly power station, to avoid blackouts and decarbonise, says Mercury’s generation portfolio manager, Phil Gibson.The seemingly counterintuitive proposal to create new greenhouse emissions to reduce them in the long run is based on fears that the current system relies on ageing coal and gas-fired plant – mainly Huntly – and does not have the margins for mishap that any sensible engineer requires.Gibson...

More Policy

Officials MIA on banking competition, say critics
Finance

Officials MIA on banking competition, say critics

Over-regulation of the banking sector is blamed for stifling competition.

Pattrick Smellie 20 Feb 2025
Mark Dunphy's Greymouth Petroleum comes out swinging
Policy

Mark Dunphy's Greymouth Petroleum comes out swinging

Malaysian oil company Tamarind should be "exited from NZ".

Pattrick Smellie 17 Feb 2025
Kinleith paper operations to close, loss of 230 jobs
Primary Sector

Kinleith paper operations to close, loss of 230 jobs

Minister Shane Jones says the closure is evidence of de-industrialisation.

PM's summit hastens new overseas investor regime
Policy

PM's summit hastens new overseas investor regime

Cabinet has agreed to liberalise the foreign investor regime in time for a March summit.

Pattrick Smellie 12 Feb 2025