The Golden Triangle Electrification Programme (GTEP) Detailed Business Case (DBC) aims to identify the best pathway to decarbonise the KiwiRail freight lines between Auckland and Tauranga through transitioning from diesel to electric locomotives over the next two decades. KiwiRail undertook a special investigation into all viable options to decarbonise New Zealand’s freight railway which was completed in 2023. The report was in the form of an Indicative Business Case (IBC) and had input from external experts. This work was undertaken in response to New Zealand’s legislated greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and consistent with KiwiRail’s commitments to reduce emissions.
The IBC identified that the best low carbon propulsion system for rail in the future is electricity – either through overhead lines, battery-electric locomotives or a mix of both these options. New Zealand is fortunate to already have nearly all its current and future electricity generated from green renewable sources. This makes electricity the most readily available and effective decarbonised energy source for rail operations. WSP conducted an independent review of the IBC and confirmed KiwiRail’s IBC conclusions.
The initial focus is on KiwiRail’s busiest freight routes in the ‘Golden Triangle’ between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga, and key feeder lines. This is in keeping with the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (March 2024), the findings of the IBC and KiwiRail’s business priorities.
With the right investment, KiwiRail has an opportunity to achieve early reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for the freight supply chain by using electric trains for the Golden Triangle and key feeder lines.
The Golden Triangle is critical to the New Zealand economy – most imports and exports pass through this area plus it is where most of New Zealand’s population is currently located and where the greatest growth is forecast to occur. New Zealand is a long distance from its markets, so needs efficient, reliable, affordable and low-carbon ways to get goods to the ports, to protect its income from exports.
KiwiRail’s target to reduce emissions for the rail freight operations is in response to the following strategic drivers:
KiwiRail has a reliable pathway to achieving an early quantum change in reducing operational emissions. It is important to progress initiatives like rail electrification that will help reduce freight supply chain emissions rapidly. Climate science shows earlier reductions in emissions will be more effective than later reductions at lessening the extent and scale of harmful impacts from global warming.
KiwiRail has already taken steps to reduce emissions through operational efficiencies and ordering modern, fuel-efficient diesel locomotives and electric shunt vehicles to replace older stock.
Moving to electric locomotives on the Golden Triangle and main feeder lines is expected to be the next logical step on the path to a step change reduction in emissions.