Energy Minister Simon Watts will travel to Busan, the Republic of Korea, to join leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region at the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministers Meeting.

Energy Minister Simon Watts welcomes the new rule agreed to by the Electricity Authority will level the playing field for smaller power companies, boosting retail competition to put downward pressure on power prices.

Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones have welcomed an agreement by Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact to establish a strategic energy reserve.

Tēnā koutou katoa. Good morning everyone and thank you for the warm welcome. It’s a pleasure to be here today at the Biogas Bridge Forum, surrounded by innovators, industry leaders, and passionate advocates for a more sustainable energy future.

Kiwi households and businesses will be able to save more on their electricity bills as a result of changes announced by the Electricity Authority (EA).

The Coalition Government is seeking feedback on a draft Fuel Security Plan that provides a long-term strategy to ensure New Zealanders have reliable access to fuel in times of domestic and global disruption.

Three solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28.1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience.

Common sense changes in the energy and building consent systems will drive greater residential solar uptake in New Zealand, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. 

Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced the Government’s new Solar on Farms initiative, which will support farmers in taking the next step towards installing solar and battery systems, helping them reduce energy costs, increase on-farm resilience, and allow farmers to gain greater control over their power use, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.

The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau and Meridian Energy have agreed on changes to the Operating Guidelines for how the lake levels are managed, that will boost New Zealand’s hydro generation and energy security.

The Government is taking action to address the country’s infrastructure deficit and energy shortage through a series of important changes to national direction under the RMA.

The Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (the Fund) has been refreshed to better support New Zealand’s businesses in transitioning to a more resilient and efficient supply chain, Energy Minister Simon Watts says.

Cabinet has approved regulations that will give fuel companies until 1 November 2026 to increase the jet fuel they hold at or near Auckland Airport to protect New Zealand against unexpected fuel supply disruptions.

Improving the current system to better protect power lines from falling trees will protect the security of New Zealand’s electricity infrastructure, says Energy Minister Simon Watts.

The Government is updating the way it co-invests in public electric vehicle (EV) chargers with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of EV chargers across New Zealand.

Energy Minister Simon Watts welcomes Lodestone Energy’s move to become New Zealand’s newest electricity retailer.

Energy Minister Simon Watts is welcoming an extension to the industry funded Power Credit Scheme which is supporting lower income Kiwis with the costs of power. 

The minimum stockholding obligation for diesel importers will increase from 21 to 28 days’ cover, bolstering New Zealand’s diesel reserves and resilience to supply disruptions.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is welcoming a Memorandum of Understanding by Genesis Energy and Carbona to produce torrefied wood pellets with the potential to replace coal with biomass at Huntly Power Station.

A proposal by the Electricity Authority for mandatory non-discrimination obligations for electricity gentailers sends a strong signal that any advantage being provided to their own retailers will not be tolerated.