Take steps now to keep the lights on

Take steps now to keep the lights on
More renewables investment increases the importance of natural gas to back up the electricity system. (Image: Getty)
John Carnegie
As the sun blazes over New Zealand these holidays, it’s not just the good weather making the new government sweat. Behind the scenes, there's looming concern about the potential for winter blackouts and our national energy security.The previous Labour government spent six years chasing a goal most knew to be unobtainable: 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Its total renewable energy goal of 50% by 2035 was equally heroic.Goals pursued to appease calls for climate action at any cost have not benefitted NZ’s energy security or af...

More Opinion

KiwiSaver flows slow as retail funds track higher
Opinion

David Chaplin: KiwiSaver flows slow as retail funds track higher

Growth is a mix of investment performance and flows.

David Chaplin 04 Jun 2025
Google's monolopy faces being deleted
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Google's monolopy faces being deleted

Would the future be brighter with a more diverse search advertising ecosystem?

Peter Griffin 04 Jun 2025
Bond market backlash
Opinion

James Caughey: Bond market backlash

Equity investors will need to pick companies that can grow profits faster than inflation.

James Caughey 03 Jun 2025
NZ Post: The secretive SOE
Opinion

Maria Slade: NZ Post: The secretive SOE

A year on from a deadline for outlining the carrier's future, we're no wiser.

Maria Slade 03 Jun 2025