Kiwis target zero carbon but green dream puts energy security at risk

Sydney

AFTER defying the political odds to become the world's youngest female leader, New Zealand's Prime Minister is taking on a different kind of power challenge.

Jacinda Ardern aims to switch the electricity grid entirely to renewables by 2035, which would place the South Pacific island in a small club of nations ditching fuels such as coal and natural gas to cut carbon emissions. While the country of 4.7 million people already gets more than 80 per cent of its electricity from green sources, maintaining reliable supply and affordable rates will become more challenging as it nears its goal.