LNG as a backstop option - a secure, reliable energy supply

As New Zealand’s economy grows and our standard of living continues to improve, so too increases our demand for a secure and reliable supply of energy.

However, New Zealand currently faces some challenges in maintaining that secure and reliable supply. Many people are unaware that around a quarter of New Zealand’s total electricity is generated using natural gas.

Natural gas provides New Zealand with flexible ‘baseload’ electricity generation which is becoming increasingly important to balance the fluctuations that come with weather-dependent hydro and wind generation systems.

Natural gas is also a vital energy supply for homes, hospitals, factories and many of our major export industries.

The giant Maui gasfield off Taranaki has provided New Zealand with a cheap and flexible supply of natural gas for decades. But it is now fast running out. If significant new gasfields are not discovered, there may be insufficient natural gas to meet demand in the future.

Gasbridge could provide an option for bridging a possible domestic gas shortage and maintaining secure and reliable supply of natural gas.