Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins has today released the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy 2017-2022.
The Strategy, Unlocking our energy productivity and renewable potential, is a companion to the New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011-2021. It sets the overarching direction for Government and specific actions for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy.
Ms. Collins says the goal of the Strategy is for New Zealand to have an energy productive and low emissions economy.
“Through this Strategy, we are encouraging businesses, individuals, and public sector agencies to take actions that will help New Zealand make the most of its clean, renewable energy sources and use energy more productively, which will benefit all New Zealanders,” says Ms. Collins.
The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy 2017-2022 focuses on three priority areas:
1. Renewable and efficient use of process heat. The target for this priority area is a decrease in industrial emissions intensity of at least one per cent per annum on average between 2017 and 2022. An example of an action to achieve the target for this priority area is developing a process heat action plan. The plan will include policies and programmes to increase the amount of renewable energy used by businesses and public sector agencies, and improve the efficiency of energy intensive processes.
2. Efficient and low-emissions transport. The target for this priority area is that electric vehicles make up two per cent of the vehicle fleet by the end of 2021. Examples of actions to achieve the target include implementing the Electric Vehicles Programme and refocusing Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)’s business programme towards emissions and productivity opportunities in transport. These will help increase the number of electric vehicles and will improve the fuel economy of vehicles.
3. Innovative and efficient use of electricity. The target for this priority area is 90% of electricity will be generated from renewable sources by 2025 (in an average hydrological year), providing security of supply is maintained. Significant progress towards this target has been made over the last few years due in part to increasing uptake of energy efficient technologies and additional renewable generating capacity.
“Importantly, the targets are measurable, reasonable and practicable by 2022, and the Strategy includes a range of actions to help achieve them including the development of a new process heat action plan.
The Strategy also works in conjunction with the Energy Innovation Bill and other Government policies and programmes, including the Electric Vehicles Programme.”
“It is designed to provide clear direction for the energy sector over the next five years and will move New Zealand towards better energy productivity and lower emissions. I would like to thank all those who took the time to make written submissions on the Strategy earlier this year,” Ms. Collins added.
According to the official document, the Strategy plays a central role in ensuring government and the energy sector are removing barriers and providing appropriate incentives to support all New Zealanders to take action and make the best choices about the energy they use, and how they use it. The Strategy will do this by:
- Contributing to New Zealand achieving longer-term goals, such as the Government’s climate change commitments through to 2030 and beyond.
- Guiding policy development and implementation across government, in particular EECA’s work.
- Encouraging all parts of the economy – businesses, individuals and public sector organisations – to contribute to the Strategy’s objectives and goal.
- Continuing to improve the evidence base for increasing energy productivity and renewable energy, in order to better track progress and inform policymaking.
Read the full NZEECS 2017-2022 document here.