Supporting the energy transition - Powerco's Gas Asset Management Plan 2025
Powerco has released its plan for how it will continue to maintain and invest in its gas network during the next decade.
Developed during a time of supply uncertainty for the gas industry, Powerco’s Gas Asset Management Plan (AMP) reflects the need to balance energy affordability, resilience and sustainability for Kiwis as Aotearoa transitions to net-zero by 2050.
As New Zealand’s largest dual energy distributor by network length – delivering gas and electricity to nearly one million Kiwis – Powerco recognises the importance of retaining gas to achieve that balance.
“Gas plays a critical role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy transition, and we’re investing prudently in our gas network now, while actively working on renewable gas solutions for the future – actions this Gas AMP is firmly focused on delivering,” Powerco Chief Executive Jason Franklin says.
“This approach will help New Zealand get the overall energy mix right.”
“Natural gas plays an important role in supporting peak electricity generation and system reliability. Additionally, retaining gas reduces the overall scale of electrification required, and continues to supply customers who will eventually electrify, such as large industry, while the electricity sector builds more capacity.”
Meanwhile, Powerco is taking an active role in the development of biomethane in Aotearoa. A ‘drop in’ replacement for natural gas, biomethane is renewable and can reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions. It’s already in use extensively overseas.
“We’re working collaboratively across industry on the regulatory, market and policy settings that are needed to establish and support a thriving biomethane market at scale,” Jason says.
“That will ensure households and businesses can still enjoy the benefits of gas.”
To achieve this, the distributor is focused on cost-effectively maintaining its existing gas network for the 113,000 customers it serves, undertaking work to ensure the network is resilient to the impacts of climate change, and investing in its renewable gas pathway.
Read Powerco’s 2025 Gas Asset Management Plan.
Developed during a time of supply uncertainty for the gas industry, Powerco’s Gas Asset Management Plan (AMP) reflects the need to balance energy affordability, resilience and sustainability for Kiwis as Aotearoa transitions to net-zero by 2050.
As New Zealand’s largest dual energy distributor by network length – delivering gas and electricity to nearly one million Kiwis – Powerco recognises the importance of retaining gas to achieve that balance.
“Gas plays a critical role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy transition, and we’re investing prudently in our gas network now, while actively working on renewable gas solutions for the future – actions this Gas AMP is firmly focused on delivering,” Powerco Chief Executive Jason Franklin says.
“This approach will help New Zealand get the overall energy mix right.”
“Natural gas plays an important role in supporting peak electricity generation and system reliability. Additionally, retaining gas reduces the overall scale of electrification required, and continues to supply customers who will eventually electrify, such as large industry, while the electricity sector builds more capacity.”
Meanwhile, Powerco is taking an active role in the development of biomethane in Aotearoa. A ‘drop in’ replacement for natural gas, biomethane is renewable and can reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions. It’s already in use extensively overseas.
“We’re working collaboratively across industry on the regulatory, market and policy settings that are needed to establish and support a thriving biomethane market at scale,” Jason says.
“That will ensure households and businesses can still enjoy the benefits of gas.”
To achieve this, the distributor is focused on cost-effectively maintaining its existing gas network for the 113,000 customers it serves, undertaking work to ensure the network is resilient to the impacts of climate change, and investing in its renewable gas pathway.
Read Powerco’s 2025 Gas Asset Management Plan.