@billbennett We can't make enough for future needs with the plant we have right now, and investment in capacity is sorely lacking. Plus making it is one thing, transmitting it to where it is needed is another kettle of worms.
By "exporting the problems" I mean: Producing energy-intensive products which used to be made here overseas and then importing them.
@vik Apparently there is no shortage of potential investment (I’ve been researching this), there is a lack of suitable projects, that’s partly due to consenting processes that give objectors a veto. The transition is tricky, but not insurmountable.
I’ve been talking to industry leaders who advocate NZ lobbying to win energy-intensive projects from overseas on the grounds that our energy is (or will be) cleaner than everyone else’s.