Energy in New Zealand

New Zealand primary energy supply 2013. Source: MBIE Energy in New Zealand 2014, New Zealand. Note that transformation losses are not accounted for in this chart; in the case of geothermal energy for example, transformation losses for the supply of electricity amount to 85%.[1]

Despite a comparatively small population and abundant natural resources, New Zealand is a net importer of energy, in the form of petroleum products. The ratio of non-renewable and renewable energy sources has been fairly consistent from 1995 to 2005, with about 70 per cent of primary energy supply coming from hydrocarbon fuels and about 30 per cent coming from renewable sources. The proportion of non-renewable energy varies annually, depending on water flows into hydro-electricity lakes and demand for energy.[2] In 2013, approximately 62% of primary energy was from non-renewable hydrocarbon fuels and 38% was from renewable sources.[1] In 2007 energy consumption per capita was 120 gigajoules. Per capita energy consumption had increased 8 per cent since 1998. New Zealand uses more energy per capita than 17 of 30 OECD countries.[3] New Zealand is one of 13 OECD countries that does not operate nuclear power stations.

From 1995 to 2013, the energy intensity of the economy per unit of GDP declined by 25 percent.[1] A contributing factor is the growth of relatively less energy-intensive service industries.[4]

Energy supply

NZ primary energy supply 2013 (PJ)[1]
OilGasGeo-
thermal		HydroWoodCoalWindBiogasWaste
heat		SolarBiofuelTotal
280.1 185.1 174.8 83.0 57.8 61.5 7.2 3.4 0.9 0.4 0.2 854.3
32.79% 21.67% 20.46% 9.71% 6.77% 7.20% 0.84% 0.40% 0.10% 0.05% 0.02% 100.00%

Total primary energy is indigenous production, plus imports, less exports and international transport. Energy supply and demand in New Zealand in 2010 is dominated by hydrocarbon fuels, especially oil, most of which is used for transport.[5]

Coal

Main article: Mining in New Zealand
New Zealand's coal consumption 1970–2009. Source: New Zealand Government Ministry of Economic Development Energy Data File 2009, New Zealand[6]

Coal is produced from four underground and 21 opencast mines.[7] Over 80% of New Zealand's coal reserves are contained in Southland lignite deposits. Most coal production is by Solid Energy, a government owned corporation.

Oil and gas

Oil and gas is produced from 21 petroleum licenses / permits, all in the Taranaki basin.[8] The most important fields are Kapuni, Maui, Pohokura and Kupe. Exploration for oil and gas reserves includes the Great South Basin and offshore areas near Canterbury and Gisborne.

Renewable energy

Approximately 38% of primary energy is from renewable energy sources.[1] Approximately 70% of electricity 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.

Energy consumption

NZ consumer energy by fuel 2013 (PJ)[1]
CoalOilGasRenewablesElectricityTotal
26.8 249.1 63.4 64.4 140.4 544.1

International comparisons

International consumption of energy
(calendar year 2013)[1]		 Oil products
(tonnes per person)		 Gas
(m³ per person)		 Electricity
(kWh per person)
Mexico 0.61 573 2,462
Turkey 0.30 570 3,065
Portugal 0.62 428 5,039
UK 0.72 1,265 5,853
Germany 0.94 1,104 7,431
France 0.91 721 7,431
New Zealand 1.23 1,084 9,497
Australia 1.85 1,635 11,097
Japan 0.98 1,033 8,323
Norway 1.87 1,210 25,412
Canada 1.79 3,052 17,360
USA 1.90 2,355 13,735

In terms of energy intensity, New Zealand is just a little lower than the global average.

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. Electricity demand increased by an average of 2.1% per year from 1974 to 2010 and has decreased 1.2% from 2010 to 2013.[1]

Governmental jurisdiction

The Ministry of Economic Development is responsible for economic issues surrounding energy use and the Ministry for the Environment addresses the environmental impact of energy use in New Zealand. Exploration and production of fossil fuels comes under Crown Minerals, a division of the Ministry of Economic Development. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is responsible for preparing a statutory national energy efficiency and conservation strategy for approval by the administering Minister.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Energy in New Zealand". MBIE. July 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  2. ↑ MfE (December 2007). "Chapter 5 Energy Current pressures and trends". Environment New Zealand 2007. ME 847. Wellington, N.Z: Ministry for the Environment. ISBN 978-0-478-30191-5.
  3. ↑ MfE (July 2009). "Environmental Report Card Energy Supply and Demand". INFO 421. Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "Key Findings on New Zealand's Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach". Statistics New Zealand. 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  5. ↑ MeD (2012). "Energy balances Ministry of Economic Development". Ministry of Economic Development. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Energy Data File 2010". Ministry of Economic Development. July 2010.
  7. ↑ "Coal Overview". Crown Minerals, Ministry of Economic Development. 17 December 2008.
  8. ↑ "Petroleum Overview". Crown Minerals, Ministry of Economic Development. 26 June 2008.
  9. ↑ "Section 13. Preparation of draft strategy". Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 No 14. New Zealand government. Retrieved 15 August 2010.

Further reading

External links