CSF welcomes the Government’s announcement of an 80% Crown guarantee for businesses borrowing to transition away from gas.
As part of its partnership with the Government, CSF was asked by the Minister of Climate Change to accelerate energy financing solutions. In December 2025, CSF submitted an indicative business case to the Minister outlining the market failures preventing commercial and industrial gas users from switching to alternative fuels, and the strategic, economic and financial opportunity for New Zealand of targeted government support.
We are pleased to see this work reflected in the pre-Budget announcements made by the Minister of Finance.
The package will help shift the economics in favour of industrial electrification and bioenergy alternatives for gas-reliant businesses. The approach leverages the expertise and delivery capabilities of banks, alongside EECA’s technical knowledge and implementation experience. Just as importantly, it sends a strong and credible signal to industry about importance of New Zealand’s energy transition.
CSF is encouraged by the engagement between the Government, banks and industry stakeholders in developing the scheme. Ensuring the programme is straightforward for all lenders to utilise will be critical to enabling capital to flow efficiently to businesses seeking to invest.
Andy O’Hare, Head of Strategy and Financial Solutions at CSF, said the scheme demonstrates how targeted public-private collaboration can unlock investment.
“This is a timely and constructive initiative that addresses a clear financing gap facing many commercial and industrial energy users. We are pleased to have worked closely with financial institutions, officials and industry participants to help shape the thinking underpinning the scheme.
“The package provides an important foundation for accelerating fuel-switching investment and improving confidence for businesses considering long-term energy transition decisions.
“It also demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved through constructive collaboration between industry and government, and the important role that public-private partnerships can play in enabling capital to flow toward solving New Zealand’s biggest challenges.
“To fully realise these opportunities, New Zealand now needs a clear and enduring national energy strategy that provides long-term certainty for industry, investors and financial markets, and signals the direction and pace of the country’s energy transition.”
Learn more about CSF’s approach to system level financing solutions.
Further reading:
CSF spoke to BusinessDesk in support of the business case for government action
Government announces the Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme
