NZ govt sets target to boost renewable energy use
Date: 28-Sep-01
Country: NEW ZEALAND
Releasing a government strategy said to deliver around NZ$900 million of benefits over the next decade, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said renewable energy would ultimately be the main source of powering New Zealand.
The strategy set a target to lift renewable energy use by 25 to 55 petajoules, which would likely lift its market share to 30 to 35 percent in 10 years.
Eventually the government hoped to lift that proportion above 50 percent, a government official said.
The level of consumer energy provided by renewables has fallen to 29 percent, or 132 petajoules, from 32 percent in 1995, with no significant change in supply, the government said in a the strategy document.
The proportion is currently forecast to fall to 25 percent in 2012.
"Increasing renewable energy will reduce New Zealand's dependence on fossil fuels, reduce pollution, provide a more sustainable energy supply, and improve the resilience of the New Zealand economy," Hodgson said in a statement.
After further work and consultation a definite target would be set rather than the current target range, Hodgson said.
New Zealand uses about 450 petajoules of energy a year, of which about 320 petajoules come from non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels.
The remainder is from renewable forms such as hydro-electric electricity generation and wind power.
Options for reaching the target range include greater use of geothermal, woody biomass, hydro and wind energy, and solar heating.
The government was also looking at tradeable renewable energy requirements for energy retailers and tradeable fossil-fuel-use curbs for electricity generators.
Trimming the use of vehicles has also been identified as a way of cutting consumption of non-renewable energy
Domestic transport absorbs 40 percent of NZ's total energy use and the government plans to promote cycling, walking, and the use of public transport.