Balance New Zealand believes that reliable and sustainable energy isfundamental to a strong economy and a prosperous society. Affordableelectricity powers industry, supports economic growth, and ensures householdscan operate without the burden of excessive energy costs.
In recent years, New Zealand has experienced increasing pressure on itsenergy system, with rising electricity prices and concerns about supplyreliability affecting both households and large manufacturing industries.Several major businesses have faced significant challenges due to energy costs,creating uncertainty for investment and employment.
Balance New Zealand believes the country must take a long-term,practical approach to energy security. This includes investing in new energyinfrastructure, expanding renewable generation, improving energy efficiency,and ensuring electricity remains affordable for both households and industry.
This policy outlines Balance New Zealand’s approach to strengthening NewZealand’s energy system through increased investment in renewable energysources including solar, geothermal, wind, and hydroelectric power whilereducing long-term reliance on fossil fuels.
Balance New Zealand believes energy policy should be guided by severalkey principles.
First, New Zealand must maintain a reliable and secure electricitysupply that supports households, businesses, and industry.
Second, energy policy should prioritise sustainable and renewable energysources wherever possible while ensuring supply remains stable and affordable.
Third, energy generation should be diversified to reduce reliance on anysingle energy source and improve resilience within the national grid.
Finally, electricity pricing should remain fair and transparent so thatconsumers and businesses are not exposed to excessive costs.
Balance New Zealand believes solar power represents a major opportunityto strengthen New Zealand’s electricity supply while decentralising energygeneration.
To support the expansion of solar energy, Balance New Zealand proposesamendments to the **Building Act 2004 to require that all new residentialbuildings include sufficient rooftop solar panels and onsite battery storagecapable of supporting household energy independence.
New commercial and industrial buildings will also be required to installsolar systems capable of generating approximately twenty-five percent of theirexpected energy consumption.
In addition, Balance New Zealand will introduce a government-backed loanscheme to support households that wish to install solar systems capable ofgenerating up to eighty percent of their electricity needs.
Expanding rooftop solar generation will reduce pressure on the nationalelectricity grid and allow greater volumes of electricity to be directed towardindustrial and manufacturing users.
Balance New Zealand will also review electricity pricing structures toensure energy retailers operate under fair pricing systems that protectconsumers and businesses.
Balance New Zealand recognises geothermal energy as one of New Zealand’smost valuable renewable energy resources.
Geothermal power provides consistent, baseload electricity generationwith minimal emissions and long operational lifespans. Unlike solar or windenergy, geothermal plants operate continuously and provide reliable electricityregardless of weather conditions.
Balance New Zealand will review the current state of New Zealand’sgeothermal generation capacity and assess opportunities for expansion.
Investment will also support research and technological developmentaimed at improving drilling capabilities and accessing deeper geothermalresources. Advances in geothermal technology may allow New Zealand to overcomesome of the geographical limitations associated with current geothermal sites.
Balance New Zealand supports the continued development of wind energy aspart of a diversified renewable energy system.
Wind generation provides clean electricity with no greenhouse gasemissions during operation and relatively low operational costs onceinfrastructure is established. Wind farms can also coexist with agriculturalactivities, allowing land to continue being used for farming.
However, Balance New Zealand recognises that wind energy also presentschallenges, including visual impacts on landscapes, intermittent generation dueto changing wind conditions, and potential environmental effects on wildlife.
New wind developments will therefore be carefully considered to balanceenvironmental impacts, community concerns, and energy generation benefits.Transmission infrastructure will also be considered when developing windprojects, particularly where generation sites are located far from majorpopulation centres.
Hydroelectric generation remains the backbone of New Zealand’selectricity system, currently providing a significant portion of the country’srenewable electricity supply.
Balance New Zealand supports the continued maintenance and upgrading ofthe existing hydroelectric network to ensure it remains reliable and efficient.
The government will also conduct feasibility studies to determinewhether additional hydroelectric projects could be developed in the futurewhile maintaining strong environmental safeguards.
Hydroelectric power will continue to play a central role in providingstable and renewable electricity generation for New Zealand.
Balance New Zealand acknowledges that fossil-fuelled electricitygeneration has historically played a role in maintaining grid stability duringperiods of high demand or low renewable generation.
However, reliance on fossil fuels is not considered a sustainablelong-term energy strategy.
Balance New Zealand supports gradually reducing dependence on fossilfuel power generation as renewable capacity expands. Fossil fuel plants maycontinue to operate when necessary to maintain electricity supply security, butthe long-term objective is to transition toward cleaner energy sources.
Balance New Zealand is committed to strengthening New Zealand’s energysystem through a balanced approach that combines renewable energy expansion,technological innovation, and practical infrastructure investment.
The proposed Solar on Roofs Scheme will significantly reduce pressure onthe national electricity grid by expanding distributed energy generation acrosshouseholds and businesses.
At the same time, investment in geothermal, wind, and hydroelectricgeneration will ensure the country maintains a stable and diversified energysupply capable of supporting both economic growth and environmentalresponsibility.
Through careful planning and long-term investment, New Zealand canmaintain a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity system thatsupports households, industry, and future generations.
