Information Sheet 70: Why New Zealand is struggling to embrace bioenergy

Despite abundant resources and clear energy security and climate benefits, uptake of bioenergy is often slow.
[Published from an opinion piece by Brian Cox, EO of the Bioenergy Association, December 2025 ]

Bioenergy has long been touted as one of New Zealand’s most promising renewable energy options. It offers regional jobs, improved energy security, and a productive use for the vast quantities of forestry residues, or an alternative pathway for organic materials that currently go to waste.

Given the benefits, the obvious question is: Why isn’t bioenergy more widely adopted already?