12. Question No. 12—Energy and ResourcesJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesQuestion No. 12—Energy and Resources12. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does she stand by all her statements regarding the potential importance of hydrogen technology for New Zealand's energy system?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): Yes.Jonathan Young: Will she support a proposed natural gas - fed plant in Taranaki that could produce high volumes of low-cost emission-free hydrogen?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I think what that member is referring to is a Provincial Growth Fund application for which I have no ministerial responsibility. But what I will also tell that member is: what this Government is committed to is developing a hydrogen strategy for New Zealand so we can realise all the exciting opportunities it presents to us as a country.Jonathan Young: As the Minister of Energy and Resources why wouldn't she support a proposed natural gas - fed plant that could not only produce hydrogen but also replace over 600000 tonnes of imported fertiliser with domestically produced fertiliser reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by international shipping?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I think the member is confused. I have never once said that I wouldn't support such a project if it came to fruition. What this Government is very clear about is we have sent very clear long-term signals to the market around what the future of oil and gas is in this country. Any company that wants to make commercial decisions within those frameworks is more than welcome to make those commercial decisions. What I will note to that member is the company that is considering it has said that it has confidence in the gas supply situation in New Zealand and recognises the long-term transition this Government has put our country on unlike that member who has been arguing in this House that the sky is going to fall in.Jonathan Young: Therefore would she support a proposed natural gas - fed plant that could contribute to security of supply for electricity demand that does not increase carbon dioxide emissions?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: As the Minister of Energy and Resources such a plant would not require my support. We have sent the long-term economic signals and all around the country commercial players will make decisions based on those long-term signals. I note that this Friday there is going to be a ground-turning from Tuarōpaki Trust with Obayashi with the commercial venture that they are starting in the central North Island. I have not had to give any kind of permission for that one either. Jonathan Young: Well if the Minister appears to support these outcomes how is it appropriate then to ban the new exploration for natural gas if the technology is emerging to use it with zero emissions?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: All the talk of the technology I would remind me that member is still about feasibility studies. People have been talking about carbon capture and storage for a very long period of time. It is something that requires a large amount of investment. What I can tell that member is what international commentators are showing. If we have look at what the World Economic Forum has been saying around hydrogen in saying As green electricity gets cheaper every day low cost green hydrogen is coming. In parallel as with solar and wind the cost of hydrogen production is falling exponentially as system sizes and production volumes grow while performance improves." So I think the answers are very clear."