Source: GasNZ
GasNZ says Labour’s solar policy released today undermines its benefits by pulling the subsidy from National’s $200m Gas Security Fund.
Jeffrey Clarke, chief executive of GasNZ, says it is senseless to steal subsidy money for home solar from a fund intended to underpin essential uses of gas.
“This is a one-dimensional policy for a multi-dimensional problem. A few more homes might get solar to supplement their supply, but at far greater cost to the economy and energy system.
“More solar is good, but this policy achieves it by undermining something more important – the security of gas supply.
Clarke says the Gas Security Fund will result in more gas options for businesses and the energy system that needs it – including green energy such as biomethane.
“We cannot escape the fact that gas is currently irreplaceable in industry, commerce and even in the electricity system.”
“Renewable gas is essential for industries that need gas for heating processes that electricity cannot easily replicate. Renewable biomethane can provide this, just as natural gas does now,” Clarke says.
Renewable biomethane gas produced from organic waste has the potential to replace up to half of the expected demand for natural gas by 2050. [See GasNZ Biomethane Strategy: https://gasnz.org.nz/biomethane ]
About GasNZ
GasNZ represents renewable gas, natural gas and LPG companies. Its vision is that renewable gases, including biogases and hydrogen gas, are a material part of the energy mix in Aotearoa.
Its members cover all gas energy fuels and all parts of the gas chain: gas producers; gas distributors; gas wholesalers and retailers; and gas equipment suppliers.
GasNZ is committed to a net-zero carbon future. www.GasNZ.org.nz
GasNZ is committed to a net-zero carbon future. www.GasNZ.org.nz