Response to Gas Transition Plan issues paper
GasNZ’s submission last week in response to the issues paper the government had published around its Gas Transition Plan makes it clear that gas, in all its forms, must be part of New Zealand’s energy future.
Chief executive Janet Carson says the main recommendation is that government collaborates with the industry to confirm policy and regulatory settings to facilitate a market in New Zealand for renewable gas.
And importantly, that GasNZ leads in coordinating the gas sector across the value chain to contribute.
“For instance, setting targets for renewable gas, and establishing a renewable gas certificates regime have potential but must be developed together.
“It would be counter-productive to pursue targets at any cost,” Carson says.
“By working through the detail of regulatory settings with government, the gas sector, customers and government are well placed to develop interventions that work for New Zealanders and are achievable for industry.”
“The key point of our submission is that gas is a fuel in transition, and gas in its many forms for energy will serve New Zealand well through the transition to a net zero carbon future and beyond.”
The GasNZ submission says that development of a renewable or biogas industry is a significant opportunity for gas for New Zealand’s two million consumers of natural gas or LPG to retain the convenience of gas while lowering emissions to support net zero goals.
“Renewable gas has a double benefit for the environment – it reduces emissions by displacing the burning of natural gas, and it captures the emissions from organic and food waste that would otherwise contribute to climate change.
“Turning waste into a resource will maintain the essential skills, capability, and jobs in the gas industry as it transitions to biogas, hydrogen, and renewable LPG. “
Achieving the desired economic, societal and environmental benefits of a substantial renewable gas market by 2050 will require policy, regulatory and market-based incentives, Carson says.
“The highest priorities are ensuring that the regulatory settings enable and encourage investment in renewable gas, and to urgently explore ways this can be achieved.”