We are delighted to see our Energy Scenarios nominated for two awards - the Sustainable Business Council's 2021 Outstanding Collaboration Award recognising the collaboration between BusinessNZ Energy Council and EECA, and an Open Source Award, celebrating our data visualisation app developed in partnership with Nicholson Consulting.

As the sector ponders the future for hydrogen here, the World Energy Council has released a new report "Hydrogen on the Horizon - Ready, Almost set, Go?".

This week, BusinessNZ Executive Director Tina Schirr shared some of our latest energy scenario results with the Cawthron Institute's leadership team and young researchers. Want to find out more? Each Friday we will be diving into more details of the sector-specific results.

BEC and EECA are delighted to share our updated energy scenarios - TIMES-NZ 2.0. This bottom-up tool helps policy makers, investors and consumers think about the choices and trade-offs between available technologies to produce a least-cost energy system.

The Commerce Commission is seeking views on emerging issues for electricity and gas networks. Significant change is anticipated, particularly in relation to decarbonization. Current regulation seeks to support the energy transition and encourage innovative approaches, while still providing regulatory certainty and predictability. Feedback on their letter is welcomed by May 28.

Thanks to all those who contributed to our submission to the Climate Change Commission on its draft advice to Government.

Work is underway at BusinessNZ to coordinate a pan-industry response to the climate change commission's draft advice.

This year will be defined by the development of climate change action frameworks. In setting emissions budgets out to 2035 the Climate Change Commission's draft advice signals a clear pathway the country will need to take over the next 15 years.

What a year. Despite disruptions, the energy sector has demonstrated resilience. As well as powering through, work has continued on renewable energy projects, implementing energy efficiency initiatives, and addressing core market design issues.

BEC has welcomed the appointment of Dr Megan Woods to the role of Minister for Energy & Resources. The Prime Minister announced the full line up of ministers last week. "BEC has worked closely with the Minister since she took the role in 2018," noted Tina Schirr, BEC Executive Director.