Latest news with #Ballance Agri-Nutrients
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Warning as gas shortage could lead to business closures
Business leaders and the Associate Energy Minister have been in crisis talks after a Taranaki manufacturer revealed looking to shutdown production for up to four months because it can't get a guaranteed gas supply. Ballance Agri-Nutrients uses the gas to power its production but it lost its supply to Contact Energy, and said it cant find a relaible replacement supply. The Business NZ Energy Council has long been warning a gas shortage could lead to business closures. Executive director Tina Schirr spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Gas shortages force Taranaki business to temporarily close
A gas shortage could force a Taranaki business to shut down its fertiliser production plant for up to four months. Ballance Agri-Nutrients is warning if things dont improve, businesses maybe forced onto an energy roster, with rotating times for production. The Kapuni Plant uses gas to power their production and as a raw ingredient for fertiliser that is used by New Zealand farmers and growers. But a shortage of gas means the co-operative can't get a guaranteed supply and the prices quoted are up to 100% more than what they are currently paying. Chief Executive of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Kelvin Wickham spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Kapuni fertiliser plant may temporarily shut due to gas supply concerns
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Kāpuni plant may need to temporarily close. Photo: 123RF One of the country's biggest fertiliser plants may temporarily shut due to concerns about its gas supply. Ballance Agri-Nutrients said its Kāpuni plant might have to temporarily close, with a significant impact on jobs, if an affordable gas supply could not be secured. Chief executive Kelvin Wickham said it was planning for a shutdown of up to four months. He said the business was planning for a range of eventualities and working to keep options open should it not secure gas before its current contract ends on 30 September. "While New Zealand's gas market is dynamic, the increasing pace of declining gas supply and the impact of this on price will continue to pose challenges for the energy sector and for New Zealand. Although we remain optimistic about securing short-term supply, we're also pragmatic and planning for other outcomes. Right now, it's prudent to plan for a short-term shutdown. "We recognise the significant impact even a short-term shutdown would have on our employees, shareholders, the wider agricultural sector and the Taranaki regional economy," he said. "Like many businesses we're impacted by dwindling New Zealand gas supplies. "We've been working hard to secure a reliable gas supply agreement at a price that is affordable for the business and our shareholders as New Zealand farmers and growers. "Our current gas supply agreement expires at the end of September and without a reliable and affordable supply, we are unable to keep the plant operational." The Kāpuni urea plant, operational since 1982 and employing around 120 people, manufactures about a third or 260,000 tonnes of New Zealand's urea annually, specifically for use as a nitrogen-rich fertiliser. GasNZ declined to comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
