Households ponder future of gas as supply dwindles
New gas connections continue to be installed in Auckland homes, despite rising prices and concerns over dwindling supply. Over the past year, more than 2,000 households added piped gas, with nearly 200 new connections each month. Critics argue the move is unsustainable, as the country faces pressure to shift toward electrification.
Vector, the network owner and distributor for Auckland, still permits new gas hookups—but only if customers cover the full commissioning cost, typically around $2,000. The company had previously forecast no new customers after 2029 but insists customer choice remains a priority.
Retail gas prices have surged in recent years, with no signs of relief. Energy Minister Simon Watts stated there was 'no clear case for further subsidies' in the residential gas market. Meanwhile, Genesis, the country’s largest gas retailer, stopped accepting new piped connections last year. Critics, including the Green Building Council’s chief executive Andrew Eagles, have called the ongoing installations 'absolute madness'. He warned that by 2035, homes and buildings will consume the same amount of gas needed for essential manufacturing and industry. Renewables advocates add that households risk steep bill increases now—and costly conversions to electric later. Beyond piped gas, estimates suggest another 300,000 households may still rely on LPG bottles for cooking or heating. No government or private funding schemes have been confirmed to help households transition away from gas.
The debate over gas use in homes highlights a clash between short-term demand and long-term sustainability. With no subsidies in sight and prices climbing, households may soon face higher costs for both staying on gas and switching to electric. The trend raises questions about how New Zealand will balance energy needs with its renewable goals.
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