New Zealad’s current electricity supply crisis requires immediate solutions.
But we argue the government’s emphasis on importing natural gas and construction of centralised solar farms is a missed opportunity.
The case against gas has been highly publicised because of its greenhouse gas emissions and substantial costs.
But the government’s focus on large solar infrastructure in rural areas, away from our main centres, misses a chance to address two urgent issues at once – the need to cut emissions and to adapt to climate impacts.
Instead, we should plan local renewable energy generation, integrated into communities, to improve New Zealand’s energy security and disaster preparedness.
Centralised versus decentralised energy systems
Centralised renewable electricity generation using large-scale hydro, wind and solar infrastructure helps to cut emissions and move New Zealand closer towards a fully renewable…
