Several of New Zealand’s energy industry leaders have been meeting with Genesis Energy attempting to subvert a decision to close the last two coal-fired electricity generating units at Huntly in 2018.
“The electricity companies conducting a behind-the-scenes fight to keep New Zealand’s last coal-fired power plant at Huntly alive are an absolute disgrace”, says Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman.
“These companies claim their concerned killing coal could result in a shortage of power during dry periods, but I don’t buy it,” says Norman.
“Even New Zealand’s Electricity Authority has come forward and said closing Huntly won’t result in a shortage of power, dry year or not,” he says.
“If there are ever any real issues around the supply of electricity, then innovation and forward-thinking when it comes to renewables are something we expect of our electricity providers,” says Norman.
“It’s ridiculous that just one month after nations of the world met in Paris and agreed to cut emissions, we’re still debating whether or not to use climate destroying coal-fired power here,” he says.
“It’s disgraceful that companies such as Meridian, which sells itself on a clean energy image, are supporting dirty coal. They, along with other electricity companies, have a duty to their customers to look for cleaner solutions,” Norman concludes.
