Exciting times ahead

I appreciated Neil Holdom’s column ‘‘A fundamental change in the way we power economy’’ (TDN, Dec 31).

It was nuanced, forward thinking and aspirational.

It simply explained the importance of the Just Transition, what a zero-carbon economy would look like (in 2050) and how potentially we could get there – thanks better to individual environmental stewardship and the usage of new technologies, such as hydrogen and better battery capacity.

I agree with Holdom, the Government’s environmental objectives are laudable, and NZ should take pride in being an exemplar in renewable energies.

We need to acknowledge our rapidly depleting fossil fuels, especially gas and embrace new energy technologies and research with gusto.

Holdom is right the Government must invest substantial research money into the Just Transition – in the order of billions, especially in Taranaki, or its rhetoric will be hollow.

Taranaki is lucky to have a leader in Neil Holdom who is well briefed and eloquent with respect to infrastructure and energy.

Yes, exciting times await Taranaki. Here’s hoping our future will be far more ameliorative and sustainable than the much maligned ‘‘Think Big’’ era (1979-84).

Bryan Vickery, New Plymouth