55519 (2025). Scott Willis to the Minister for Energy

55519 (2025). Scott Willis to the Minister for Energy: Further to reply 54349, which of the listed programmes achieved their purpose and which were no longer aligned with Government priorities?

Hon Simon Watts: The below programmes have been closed due to achieving its purpose: - The Regional Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA) Programme has successfully delivered 14 regional energy decarbonisation pathways (and a South Island summary report) on industrial process heat across New Zealand, matched with existing and potential regional energy supply. The final reports (Wellington and All of NZ summary) will be published in early 2026. - The Sector Decarbonisation Programme is closing as energy efficiency and decarbonisation pathway resources had been delivered for 18 key sectors. - The Business Engagement Programmes that were focused on working directly with businesses, industry groups and local authorities to deliver energy efficiency and renewable energy information and support. Ninety-three projects were supported in 2024/25, including energy audits, feasibility studies, energy transition plans and projects, and energy graduates. The programme has closed for 2025/26 as EECA pivots their engagement approach to focus on more targeted market barriers and needs. New initiatives in this area include walk-through energy assessments, different feasibility studies and demonstrations. The below programmes have been closed due to lack of alignment with current Government priorities or external market conditions: - EECA’s various Public Sector Programmes have closed in line with the Government’s view that public sector organisations are best placed to prioritise energy needs against other funding priorities. The programmes delivered grant funding and advice for energy efficiency and renewable projects in the public sector (eg. electric vehicle leasing and energy graduates). - The Crown Loans Scheme has closed as there is no longer a clear justification for a government-provided scheme. The scheme delivered zero-interest loans to public sector organisations to enable projects that increase energy efficiency or renewable energy use (largely heating and lighting systems). - The Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) and Technology Demonstration Fund have been discontinued due to a significant decline in project applications over the last year due to market shifts and challenges.