There’s another option that could help us fill the gaps in the energy crisis: solid biofuel. 

It makes use of forestry slash, burning it to generate heat and electricity as a cheaper alternative to gas.  

New Zealand exports around 20 million tonnes of wood per year, and we would only need to divert around 30% of those export logs to decarbonise every industrial gas and coal boiler in the country, Solid Bioenergy Group CEO Rob Mallinson says. 

Mallinson told Ryan Bridge that it’s renewable, half the cost of LNG, and we need it to be part of the solution for the current energy crisis.  

He said he’s not saying it's the silver bullet, but it’s a huge potential part of the solution, especially for the North Island.  

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