Occasional Paper 30: Stocktake of sector capability to deliver optimal benefits from bioenergy

New Zealand is rich in organic material, a valuable feedstock for the production of energy and co-products that can replace petroleum-based products and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The bioenergy sector in New Zealand is still in the early stages of market development.  It is only beginning to take on the characteristics of a formal market, with maturity emerging in some areas and among a limited number of participants.

This review considers the potential growth of New Zealand’s bioenergy and biofuels market through to 2050, with a focus on the solid, gaseous and liquid biofuel sub-markets.  While each sub-market is examined separately, it is acknowledged that there is considerable overlap in practice, with many participants active across multiple sub-markets.  Unless otherwise noted, each sub-market is treated as a stand-alone market for the purposes of this review.