Our workshop falls on the heels of Genesis NZ power plant media release on 11 February 2025 confirmed that the organisation is ‘exploring options for Huntly Power Station to support energy security as a result of a combination of a faster than expected decline in the national supply of natural gas, low hydro lake levels and low wind conditions. The medium-term outlook for gas supply is also a key factor’.

As part of that work, Genesis Energy, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact have entered into a non-binding heads of agreement to investigate the potential for Huntly Power Station Rankine Units (one of which was scheduled to retire in 2026 and the other two in the early 2030’s) to continue to play a key role managing ‘dry-year risk’ and enhance system security over a longer-term timeframe, as the country sets about adding more intermittent wind and solar generation.

Students were poised and ready to get into wiring solar panels girded with understanding that their region can serve as a significant backup power source for all of NZ during periods of high demand.

An exciting future awaits!