The energy sector is pointing to international evidence to back axing the Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown says the 16-billion-dollar project, was pouring money down the drain, at a time when we need to be reining in spending.

He says axing the scheme will increase confidence to invest in more energy production.

Energy Resources Aotearoa John Carnegie told Tim Dower that Australia's Snowy 2.0 is enough evidence to show it wouldn't have delivered for Kiwis.

LISTEN ABOVE