We’re excited to share the release of New Zealand’s first Regional Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA) report.
The report was developed in partnership between EECA and Southland economic development agency Great South.
It is focussed on Southland’s moderate to high energy users – industries using heat during product processing.
What’s so important about this report is that it considers barriers and opportunities for regional infrastructure to better support decarbonisation decisions.
The report highlights the need for a mix of renewable electricity and biomass, openness and information sharing, and regional coordination to reduce the carbon footprint of the country’s industrial sector.
The Southland RETA report is based on research findings from multiple workstreams delivered by a group of consultants including Lloyd McGinty, here at Whirika. Lloyd investigated and provided the analysis of wood biomass availability in Southland.
The recommendations will help Southland industry transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels and thrive in a low-emissions economy. They centre on how the region can work collectively – across both the demand side and the supply side of the energy ecosystem, to support the uptake of renewable energy among local process heat users.
Click here to view One News’ coverage of the report.
Where to next?
Lloyd has completed his investigations into biomass availability in South Canterbury, and has begun work on the West Coast, with the help of Tom Leov.