Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

<<Previous    Index    Next>>

3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.12  Energy

3.12.2 Efficient Energy Use

Principal Reasons for Adopting: Efficient use of energy is consuming the minimum amount of energy for the maximum desired output. Energy production, distribution and use produces adverse environmental effects. Reducing energy consumption through increased efficiency will minimise these adverse environmental effects (e.g. the production of greenhouse gases when burning fossil fuels, or the flooding of productive land for a hydro dam).

To promote efficiency and conservation in the production, transmission and consumption of energy.

1. Advocate, through community information and education, for the promotion of energy efficiency, conservation and the adoption of appropriate energy forms and technologies.
   
2. Encourage the use of alternative and renewable energy sources through community education.
   
3. Encourage inter-agency co-operation in undertaking research into the Region's available energy sources and appropriate energy technologies, through regional and annual plans and reviewing of research proposals (e.g. public good science funding input).
   
4. Advocate energy efficiency in the design, location and operation of buildings and other structures, through community information, regional plans and resource consents.
   
5. Encourage Central Government to prepare a National Energy Strategy.
   
6. Encourage the efficient use of energy in the transport sector through the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

Explanation and Principal Reasons for Adopting :
Energy is unusual in that it is not a resource in isolation, but is an integral part of other resources, i.e. water, air, and minerals. Viewing the energy section without taking into account the rest of the RPS can not produce an integrated view. Environmental quality standards (e.g. for air, water, minerals) are influenced by policies provided elsewhere in the RPS and specific controls may be set in regional plans and district plans. For example, while fossil fuels are used as an energy source and are related to this section, the green house gases produced are addressed in the air section.

The Waikato Regional Council (Environment Waikato) recognises that future energy developments in the Region should be managed in an integrated way. The methods identified allow for integrated and co-ordinated management of the Waikato's energy resources, incorporating energy conservation and efficiency, the application of new technology and favouring renewable energy sources.

Method 1 recognises that the efficient application of energy and conservation concerns everyone, and Environment Waikato has a facilitation and education role.

Method 2 addresses alternative and renewable energy. In 1993 over two-thirds of the country's energy needs came from non-renewable energy sources. Total energy consumed was approximately 43 percent as oil, 26 percent as electricity (mainly from hydro, geothermal and gas), 18 percent as solid fuels (wood and coal), 10 percent gas and 3 percent as direct geothermal¹. Our economy is dependant on fossil fuels with these forecast to become severely depleted next century. By increasing the use of alternative energy resources (e.g. wind, sun, and biomass) we not only reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but the economy is insulated from problems associated with a reliance on a singular energy source (e.g. the South Island hydro lakes in a drought year).

Method 3 encourages interagency co-operation. Environment Waikato is placed in a prime position to foster information circulation. Yet it is recognised that there are other agencies which are better resourced than Environment Waikato to undertake necessary work.

Method 4 advocates energy efficiency in the design, location and operation of buildings and other structures. For example, a domestic house with north facing windows, (passive solar space heating and light) combined with good thermal insulation will require less energy. (Passive solar space heating though building designs that absorb, store and release energy is potentially New Zealand's cheapest form of energy².) Transmission losses form a significant component of the energy consumed in New Zealand. These losses are minimised by optimising the locations of the energy generation and users.

Method 5 advocates to Central Government for a national energy strategy. Given the importance of energy for both the Waikato Region and New Zealand as a whole, it is considered appropriate that Government prepare a National Energy Strategy to consider the means by which New Zealand's future energy needs will be met. A National Energy Strategy would recognise the national basis for energy supply and demand, and complement other Government initiatives in relation to existing energy policy.

Method 6 is in response to the fact that 43 percent³ of New Zealand's energy comes from oil and that this is mostly used in the transport industry. The Regional Land Transport Strategy addresses Environment Waikato’s transport responsibilities, giving considerable scope for improving energy efficiency in the transport sector.

1. Improved efficiency of energy use.
   
2. Increased public awareness of energy conservation and efficiency.

<<Previous    Index    Next>>

Footnotes

1. New Zealand Official Yearbook. Statistics New Zealand 1995.
2. Renewable Energy Opportunities for New Zealand. Ministry of Commerce, May 1993.
3. New Zealand Official Yearbook. Statistics New Zealand 1995.