Energy in New Zealand

Energy in New Zealand

Energy consumption

Data from the Ministry of Economic Development [cite web|url=http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentTOC____21847.aspx|title=Table 5: International Consumption of Energy - Calendar Year 2006|date=2006-10-18|publisher=Ministry of Economic Development|accessdate=2008-09-03]
* denotes 2004 calendar year

Electrical energy

Electrical energy in New Zealand is mainly derived from renewable energy sources such as from hydropower, geothermal power and increasingly wind energy. The large share of renewable energy sources makes New Zealand one of the most sustainable countries in terms of energy generation. However, energy demand is also still growing, by about 1.3-2.5% per year (depending on source, first figure from the New Zealand government, second figure from Greenpeace), and the country has been called one of the least energy efficient countries in the OECD.

Renewable energy

Seventy per cent of electricity in New Zealand comes from renewable energy, primarily hydropower and geothermal power. This is expected to increase over the next 20 years, with wind energy making up much of that increase. In September 2007, New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark announced a national target of 90% renewable electricity by 2025.

Governmental jurisdiction

The Ministry of Economic Development is responsible for economic issues surrounding energy use.

The Ministry for the Environment addresses the environmental impact of energy use in New Zealand.

References

External links

* [http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____33.aspx Ministry of Economic Development] - Energy and Resources page
* [http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/energy/ Ministry for the Environment] - energy issues