Latest news with #JohnCarnegie
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Energy Sector Unites To Future-Proof Tomorrow's Workforce
The Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) and Energy Resources Aotearoa have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to develop a comprehensive 2025 national energy workforce report and action plan. This collaborative initiative brings together two of New Zealand's leading energy industry bodies to develop an evidence-based, sector-wide workforce strategy that encompasses electricity supply, energy resources, large energy users, and the service sector. The report will identify critical workforce gaps, training needs, and future skills necessary to support the evolving energy sector landscape. It will also map the current schooling, vocational, and tertiary pathways while proposing actionable solutions for attracting, developing, and retaining the workforce required to power New Zealand's future. John Carnegie, Chief Executive of Energy Resources Aotearoa, says this partnership marks a turning point for workforce development in the energy sector. "By aligning analysis across all forms of energy, we can provide a clearer picture of workforce needs and better coordinate investment in talent development. It's about building a resilient, skilled workforce that's ready to lead the future for our energy sector." Nicki Sutherland, Chief Executive of Electricity Engineers' Association, says the new partnership is a significant step forward for the sector's workforce planning. "Through this initiative, EEA and Energy Resources Aotearoa aim to foster a more unified energy sector by strengthening cross-industry collaboration and aligning efforts around shared workforce priorities as we journey towards a lower emissions future. By breaking down traditional silos, the partnership seeks to ensure that workforce planning reflects the full complexity of the sector's challenges and opportunities enabling smarter, more coordinated action to meet the demands of a low-emissions future." The final report will be published in December 2025 and launched at a national event that will engage government, iwi, educators, industry leaders, and community stakeholders. About Energy Resources Aotearoa About Energy Resources Aotearoa Energy Resources Aotearoa is New Zealand's peak energy industry body. We represent participants from right across the energy system, providing a strategic sector perspective on energy issues and their adjacent portfolios. Please visit our website for further details about our members and to learn more about Energy Resources Aotearoa's initiatives. About the Electricity Engineers' Association The EEA is a membership body that works across the electricity sector. EEA is independent of interests and works with industry, for industry to unite, guide, and educate our talented workforce while making sure the voices of our membership are represented and heard through legislative and regulatory change.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Past Policy Choices Coming Home To Roost
Press Release – Energy Resources Aotearoa There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously … For yet another year, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) data published today shows that estimates for New Zealand's gas reserves are rapidly declining. There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously forecast. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the $200 million Crown co-investment in new domestic gas projects, the removal of the 2018 exploration ban, and changes proposed through the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill are all great signs that the Government is working hard to turn the corner on the deindustrialisation of the New Zealand economy. 'We acknowledge the Government is moving to support the strong potential of our domestic gas supply. But only time will tell if this will be enough.' Carnegie says the ongoing challenges with gas supply underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to secure energy stability and support New Zealand's economic resilience. 'We know there are still prospective fields out there – now we need to see the right conditions continue so that we can unlock the supply. Kiwi businesses are doing it tough as gas supply becomes further constrained. We desperately need more natural gas in the market to ensure electricity is available to keep the lights on and our export economy thriving.' Currently, we're witnessing the consequences of a shrinking domestic gas supply: higher prices, the use of imported coal, and uncertainty for industrial users, Carnegie says. 'Natural gas plays a critical role in supporting renewables, powering industry, and keeping energy affordable and reliable. Gas production projects underpin everything from electricity to industrial manufacturing. If we don't continue to work hard on securing more domestic gas for New Zealand, we risk higher prices, more imported coal use, and further instability.' If New Zealand can get this right, the benefits are enormous: jobs, royalties, export earnings, and the confidence of regional businesses to expand, knowing they have secure and affordable energy for the future.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Past Policy Choices Coming Home To Roost
For yet another year, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) data published today shows that estimates for New Zealand's gas reserves are rapidly declining. There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously forecast. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the $200 million Crown co-investment in new domestic gas projects, the removal of the 2018 exploration ban, and changes proposed through the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill are all great signs that the Government is working hard to turn the corner on the deindustrialisation of the New Zealand economy. "We acknowledge the Government is moving to support the strong potential of our domestic gas supply. But only time will tell if this will be enough." Carnegie says the ongoing challenges with gas supply underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to secure energy stability and support New Zealand's economic resilience. "We know there are still prospective fields out there - now we need to see the right conditions continue so that we can unlock the supply. Kiwi businesses are doing it tough as gas supply becomes further constrained. We desperately need more natural gas in the market to ensure electricity is available to keep the lights on and our export economy thriving." Currently, we're witnessing the consequences of a shrinking domestic gas supply: higher prices, the use of imported coal, and uncertainty for industrial users, Carnegie says. "Natural gas plays a critical role in supporting renewables, powering industry, and keeping energy affordable and reliable. Gas production projects underpin everything from electricity to industrial manufacturing. If we don't continue to work hard on securing more domestic gas for New Zealand, we risk higher prices, more imported coal use, and further instability." If New Zealand can get this right, the benefits are enormous: jobs, royalties, export earnings, and the confidence of regional businesses to expand, knowing they have secure and affordable energy for the future.
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Genesis and Contact secure more gas from Methanex amid low hydro inflows
The purchase has been partially underwritten by sales to third-party wholesale electricity market participants. The additional fuel supply, operating in tandem with the Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility, would support Contact's intention to run its Taranaki Combined Cycle gas-fired power station alongside the gas peaking units at Stratford through winter 2025. Contact has said it expects to close the ageing Taranaki Combined Cycle plant at the end of this winter. Contact and Genesis Energy's thermal assets are designed to back up the hydro-dominated electricity system when conditions dictate. Genesis said it had entered an arrangement with Methanex to support the shutdown of its plant from May to July. 'While Genesis has strengthened its winter preparedness with a fully replenished coal stockpile at Huntly Power Station with additional shipments ordered, we have also reached a flexible gas supply agreement to ensure security of supply for the market,' the company said. Under the agreement, Genesis could receive up to 1.26PJ of gas not required by other contracted users. Any gas used for generation would displace coal, thereby lowering carbon emissions. Genesis chief executive Malcolm Johns said the situation underlined the flexibility of Huntly Power Station, which runs on coal and gas. Last winter, wholesale power prices spiked to $820 per megawatt hour (MWh) as a result of high electricity demand, low wind generation, low hydro storage and constrained gas supply. Prices lately have been around the $300 to $400MWh mark – still well up on the 2018 and 2023 winter average of around $180/MWh. Energy Resources Aotearoa, which represents the fossil fuel industry, said it welcomed the Contact deal, which mirrors a similar one struck last year. Chief executive John Carnegie said industry players once again brokering a solution to security of supply issues was 'like a Band-Aid on a gaping wound'. 'Methanex is again propping up our electricity system and forgoing production and export earnings to do so, harming New Zealand's GDP and terms of trade,' he said in a statement. Vancouver-based Methanex is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol.
