Wood Energy Strategy - Diversifying New Zealand's energy mix
October 2025
The NZ Government has released its Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan, signalling its strong support for New Zealand’s bioenergy sector. The Hon Simon Watts, Minister of Energy says that "Diversifying New Zealand's energy mix with new fuels and more energy sources is a critical step in ensuring long-term energy security.
With the challenges our energy system is currently facing, finding cost-effective alternatives to power Kiwi industries has never been more important”. “The Government’s vision for the future of the wood energy sector is clear: New Zealand will accelerate wood energy as a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy resource for domestic and export markets,” Mr Watts says. “Launching New Zealand’s first Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan kickstarts this vision into action. Wood energy could replace around 40 per cent of fossil fuelled process heat by 2050, and displace 300,000 tonnes of coal at Huntly. This would reduce reliance of our energy system on imported fuels and domestic gas and cut down on emissions”.
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