Over half of New Zealanders support importing LNG to New Zealand, and 75 percent support using biomethane to gradually replace natural gas, according to a Talbot Mills survey conducted for GasNZ.
A majority (54 percent) of the 1,022 people surveyed supported LNG (liquified natural gas) imports, with only 21 percent against, and 25 percent not sure.
But the support is even greater when the public see the arguments side by side.
Over two-thirds agree with doing it to ensure energy security, and to keep energy prices affordable.
They were also asked if they supported replacing fossil-fuel-based natural gas over time with biomethane, a low-carbon alternative to natural gas.
Thirty-two percent strongly supported, and 44 percent somewhat supported.
Only 7 percent opposed, and 18 percent were unsure.
Jeffrey Clarke, chief executive of GasNZ, says the results are a massive show of public support for the role of gas in New Zealand's energy mix.
“This poll is a strong public endorsement of gas.
“The public is right behind the arguments that gas ensures strong and affordable energy supplies.
“They are even more enthusiastic about biomethane taking the place of natural gas in the future.”
He says the poll result would indicate to the Government that LNG imports were an acceptable solution to the immediate problem of not having enough natural gas to underpin the hydro electricity supply in dry years, nor to meet industrial demand.
“The public does not want to take any more risks with energy supplies,” Clarke says.
GasNZ is focused on developing a sustainable biomethane market to replace fossil-sourced natural gas, he says
This could negate the longer-term need for importing LNG to supply the needs of industries that don't have electrification as a practical option.
“Our biomethane strategy and action plan shows that with coordinated effort, biomethane could actually supply half of the expected demand for reticulated gas by 2050,” he says.
“Once we reach that level of available supply, we could end imports of LNG.
“The LNG option illustrates the flexibility, portability and value of gas in all its forms.”
Notes:
LNG:
Question #1: The government has proposed building a new terminal that could import natural gas into New Zealand, in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG). How strongly do you support or oppose that proposal? (%)
Question #2: Critics of importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) say that it's expensive to build the import terminal needed and that ongoing reliance on natural gas increases NZ's exposure to international price volatility. Supporters say that keeping natural gas in the mix of fuels available will mean better energy security and affordability for businesses and households over the next ten years.
How strongly do you agree or disagree that having additional supply of natural gas by importing LNG will help to: (%)
Ensure energy security and reliability?
Keep energy affordable for New Zealand households and businesses?
Biomethane:
Question: “Biogas” is a renewable gas made from organic waste. When it's upgraded by removing impurities and carbon dioxide, it becomes “biomethane”, a lower-carbon alternative to natural gas that can be used in the same way. How strongly do you support or oppose biomethane replacing fossil-fuel-based natural gas over time? (%)