The incident has been used to criticise the Government ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and to stress the need for non-fossil-fuelled back-ups, such as large batteries. The first item on the agenda was to ban new oil and gas exploration and coal mine extensions during 2021. The offshore oil and gas ban was short-sighted, he said, and limited the investment that companies with current permits were willing to make. “Nor are fossil fuels the future answer for New Zealand.”Globally, bans are gathering momentum. Ireland, Spain and France (though the French import most fossil fuels) have similar exploration bans.

Source: Stuff August 11, 2021 05:44 UTC