Economic development agency, Priority One is helping to lead a major step forward in how the Western Bay of Plenty approaches its energy future, with the launch of the Our Energy Future report, and the formation of a new Energy Leadership Group.

The fast-growing subregion’s energy needs are complex, with rising demand from industry, transport
and population growth. At the same time, pressure to decarbonise is increasing – driven by international market expectations and New Zealand’s own climate commitments.

There’s now a clear opportunity for the Western Bay to become a national leader in the adoption of 
clean energy, freight decarbonisation and regional energy resilience.

Launch of Our Energy Future

A series of Priority One energy forums held with key stakeholders has shown the Western Bay of Plenty lacks coordinated energy planning, data and a strategic approach. Most businesses are navigating this transition alone. Today, those findings are released in our report, Our Energy Future – Energy in the Western Bay of Plenty Subregion. This is an analysis of our regional energy context across stationary energy, transport and industrial process heat.

New Energy Leadership Group formed

To respond to these challenges and opportunities, a business-led Energy Leadership Group is now being assembled. The group will lead a long-term programme of work, with the goal of developing regional energy strategy to guide the transition over the next 30 years.

Key areas of focus include:
– Growing awareness of the issues.
– Supporting businesses through access to information, education and technology pathways.
– Identifying regional opportunities in emerging technologies, such as geothermal, biomass, biogas,
solar and green fuels.

Today, Mike Pond, Principal – Industrial at Beca, has been announced as Chair of the group.

“The work to date has helped outline the scale of the challenge and the opportunities we can unlock
if we act together. The Energy Leadership Group will play a key role in driving positive change – with businesses, communities and decision-makers all at the table – and I’m excited to be part of this effort,” says Mike.

The group’s first major initiative will be the Regional Energy Summit, scheduled for October 2025.
This will bring business leaders and energy experts together, furthering the conversation about our
future energy landscape.

To watch Our Energy Future video, read the report (or executive summary), and register for the Regional Energy Summit, future workshops and events, visit: priorityone.co.nz/energy