Business and employment › Economic development › Economic Plan ... › Sustainable and affordable energy systems
Businesses and households can access affordable, clean energy to achieve our economic potential
Establishing New Zealand's foothold in high-value clean energy systems and exporting our know-how to the world
Meeting New Zealand's climate change targets by driving emissions reductions.
Renewable energy generation and process heat
The Renewable Electricity Generation and Process Heat work streams sit under the Renewable Energy Strategy work programme, which is looking to address barriers to new renewable energy as we work to reach an aspirational goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 and to transition to a clean, green and carbon neutral economy by 2050.
Reducing energy emissions is critical to achieving New Zealand's climate goals. Electrification of process heat and transport can help to reduce emissions and increased investment in renewable electricity generation can ensure that demand is met with low-emissions electricity. Government will be consulting on a range of measures in these two work streams, complementary to the carbon price, that aim to address the barriers to the uptake of clean energy technologies, energy efficiency and other cost-effective measures to reduce emissions.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/low-emissions-economy/process-heat-in-new-zealand/
Transitioning to more affordable and renewable energy: the energy markets work programme [PDF, 660 KB]
Electricity Price Review
The Electricity Price Review investigated whether the current electricity market delivered a fair and equitable price to consumers. It also considered improvements to future-proof the sector and its governance structures. Themes from the review cover 7 areas: strengthening the consumer voice, reducing energy hardship, increasing retail competition, reinforcing wholesale market competition, improving transmission and distribution, improving the regulatory system, and preparing for a low-carbon future.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/energy-consultations-and-reviews/electricity-price/
Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund
The Government has established a contestable fund to encourage innovation and investment to accelerate the uptake of electric and other low emission vehicles in New Zealand, which might not otherwise occur.
The fund offers up to $7 million a year to co-fund projects with private and public sector partners in areas where commercial returns aren't yet strong enough to justify full private investment.
The fund is one of several government activities paid for via a levy on petrol and engine fuels.
https://www.eeca.govt.nz/funding-and-support/low-emission-vehicles-contestable-fund/(external link)
National New Energy Development Centre
Government announced a $27 million investment to support the establishment and operations of a National New-Energy Development Centre in Taranaki to help lead New Zealand's transition to a low carbon economy. The Centre will work closely with industry and communities to test and validate technologies across a range of new energy forms such as offshore wind, hydrogen, solar, batteries, geothermal, and waste-to-energy.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-invests-clean-energy-centre-help-power-new-zealand%E2%80%99s-economy(external link)
http://about.taranaki.info/Tapuae-Roa/NNEDC.aspx(external link)
Winter energy payment
Winter Energy Payment helps superannuitants and beneficiaries afford the heating they need to keep themselves and their families warm and healthy.
Payments are available for New Zealanders who receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension, as well as people receiving a main benefit, to heat their homes during the coldest months from May to September.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/winter-energy-payment.html(external link)
The hydrogen strategy is part of a renewable energy strategy work programme which is looking to address barriers to new renewable energy as we work to reach an aspirational goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 and to transition to a clean, green and carbon neutral economy by 2050. The first part of the strategy is a vision paper which discusses how hydrogen could fit into New Zealand's wider energy and transport system. The paper explores the role that hydrogen could play in different pathways to decarbonisation, and energy resilience. The second stage of the strategy will be the development of a roadmap to guide how to develop a hydrogen economy in New Zealand.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/a-vision-for-hydrogen-in-new-zealand-public-consultation/
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-development/economic-plan/sustainable-and-affordable-energy-systems/