Renewing the Debate Over Energy Use

THERE is plenty of thought- provoking information contained in the latest energy statistics released by the Government. It’s not so much to do with the fact that our electricity demand continues to inexorably increase — which in itself is an issue — but more to do with how we are generating that power.

Statistics New Zealand data shows that in terms of use of renewable energy, we have just completed our worst June quarter performance in 15 years.

Or put another way, hydro and wind for power generation fell to 54% of total power generation, the lowest since 1992.

While much of this fall was due to the fact that the water levels in the South Island hydro lakes were well below average for the whole of the quarter, it was also because New Zealand’s electricity demand was the second-highest in history for a June quarter, just 0.5% down on the record level experienced last year.

So what’s so thought-provoking about that? Didn’t New Zealand get through a particularly cold mid-winter quarter without the spectre of power cuts caused by a lack of generation capability? Well, yes – - but the issue is that we seem to be painting ourselves into the proverbial corner with not enough action being taken to get out again.

While it is nice to think that the Government’s goal of full energy sustainability is possible, the winter statistics show that currently it is next to impossible. That’s because it is now very difficult to further increase the amount of power generated the hydro way, while recent growth in the numbers of wind farms in New Zealand is nowhere near meeting the increase in national demand for power.

That is leaving the non- renewables — gas, fuel oil, coal and geothermal — to carry the load, particularly gas. The main contributor to a 5.2% rise in thermal generation in the June quarter was natural gas from Taranaki, something that was hardly a good advertisement for the concept of energy sustainability.

But despite these sobering statistics, New Zealand shouldn’t be too downhearted. If the statistics for the June quarter are added to those from the first quarter, then they show that in the first quarter of the year, 68% of our electricity was generated using renewable resources, which compares well with the 64% for the same period last year.

If that combines with the new wind farms that will come on stream in the near future and, on top of that, New Zealanders introduce individual energy-saving habits, then renewables will be able to play an ever bigger part in the country’s total energy picture.

And that would help stave off the arguments from the pro- nuclear brigade that it is nuclear power that represents not only the future of energy security, but also is the answer to all our climate change issues. Despite what US President George W. Bush said at the Apec leaders’ summit in Sydney last week, New Zealand has adopted a stance against nuclear energy, and our country is internationally recognised for its efforts to do without it.

We’re a nuclear-free oasis, which fits perfectly with our clean- green image. Long may it continue — even if its means New Zealanders have to adopt strict energy-saving habits.

(c) 2007 Daily News; New Plymouth, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.