“Re-elect Me, and There Will Be Only Green Energy Within Ten Years”, New Zealand’s Leader Promises

New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has pledged to achieve 100% renewable energy by the year 2030 on one condition: she wants to be re-elected in October.

“The COVID-19 economic recovery represents a once in a generation opportunity to reshape New Zealand’s energy system to be more renewable, faster, affordable, and secure,” the Prime Minister explains. “Clean energy projects are a key opportunity to build back better following COVID-19, so we’ll work towards this target by investing in emerging technologies, exploring clean energy projects such as Lake Onslow,” adds the official New Zealand Labour Party.

The country currently produces 84% of its electricity from clean sources, but still imports coal and oil. As part of the new clean energy plan, the government wishes to accelerate the electrification of transportation and make energy more affordable in order for New Zealand “to position itself as a world leader in renewable energy.”