Energy
ComCom's fuel industry recommendations
The Commerce Commission has completed its year long study into fuel retailers, at the request of the Government out of concerns that motorists were being fleeced at the pumps. Audio
OMV dismantles climate protesters' 'history of oil museum'
Security officers have begun to dismantle a 'history of oil museum' erected by protesters in the entrance of OMV's New Plymouth headquarters.
Vector plans outages as businesses prep for Xmas - no compo
Christmas is busy for any small business - but what happens if your power company plans an outage mid-way through December? For the owner of the Buckley Road Foodstore in Auckland, Maureen Ballard, it… Audio
Environmental protest forces OMV staff to stay home
Staff at the New Zealand headquarters of oil and gas company OMV were forced work from home today after environmentalists blockaded its New Plymouth offices.
The Austrian firm says it had safety… Video, Audio
Regulator's decision means reduced power bills from 2020
Most consumers can expect to see a few dollars come off their electricity bill from next April, as lines companies drop prices because of lower interest rates. Audio
Taupō firm plans plant to process lithium for EV batteries
A Taupō-based company is on the cusp of developing a lucrative new business using geothermal waste.
Stewart Island to move from diesel to wind power
Stewart Island will be moving from diesel to wind power, thanks to a three-million dollar grant from the Provincial Growth Fund.
The islanders currently rely on diesel-powered generators for their… Audio
Group opposes electrcity grid price changes
A group of power companies, lines companies and big energy users, have renewed criticism about power transmission costs. Audio
Power price hikes on cards for Otago households
Power prices could rise by nearly $500 for many Otago households, according to Aurora Energy's just-released draft pricing structure.
F&B supports in principle development of small-scale hydro
The head of Forest & Bird says he supports in principle a plan to develop small-scale power generation plants, using hydro, wind and solar resources. But owners of these independent schemes say… Audio
What will our energy future look like by mid-century?
A comprehensive modelling exercise into the country's energy future shows the economy is set for a major transformation by mid-century, with less reliance on primary produce and more on services. The… Audio
Extra $208m for NZ's largest wind farm
Mercury NZ will spend another $208 million building the country's largest wind farm near Palmerston North.
Wellington's new electric ferry to slash owners' fuel bill
Wellington's new electric cross-harbour ferry, is shaping up to slash its owners' fuel bill by $250,000 each year.
The ferry, which is being built and assembled by the Wellington Electric Boat… Audio
New e-ferry on strict weight diet
The managing director of the newly formed Wellington Electric Boat Building company says his first project is one of the most intense of his life.
The company's building the new 19-metre long ferry… Audio
Lincoln University goes solar in bid to cut coal use
Lincoln University has switched on a commercial-scale, 102-kilowatt-an-hour solar energy array, as part of a plan to go coal-free by 2025.
How real is the threat to close the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter?
How real is the threat to close the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, with the loss of 1000 jobs? Audio
Have we reached the end of the Periodic Table?
You mightn't know that 2019 is the International Year of the Periodic Table, but Professor Allan Blackman certainly does. He's doing all he can to ensure people can enjoy the Periodic Table in all its… Audio
Could Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles ever overtake battery EVs?
Electric Vehicles have seen a dramatic rise in popularity in this country, and would seem to be light years ahead of hydrogen vehicles which are yet to hit the road because of a lack of refueling… Audio
Changes to electricity industry should bring cheaper power
Struggling families are being promised cheaper power bills under changes to the electricity industry. There are 20 proposals in the Electricity Price Review among them a plan to force companies to… Audio
Fuel sector defends loyalty schemes
Major fuel sector players are defending their use of loyalty discounts - schemes the Commerce Commission has found to be a poor substitute for more competive pricing. Audio