Renewables continue upwards, greenhouse gases fall 35 per cent
05 March 2017
NZ Government: The amount of electricity
generated from renewables in
New Zealand grew to 88 per cent in the
three months to December 2016, building on increases seen in previous
quarters, Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins says.
“The result, released today in the latest New Zealand Energy Quarterly,
shows the highest level of
renewable electricity generation in 20 years.
It demonstrates New Zealand is continuing to make the most of its ample
renewable resources such as hydro.”
Ms Collins says the increase in renewable generation was party driven by
high rainfall over the December 2016 quarter.
“There was a seven per cent growth in hydro generation compared to the
previous December quarter, with many hydro catchment areas experiencing
higher than average rainfall over the period.”
Continuing decreases in coal- and gas-fired generation also had an
impact, Ms Collins says.
“The data shows that coal-fired generation declined by 64 per cent, and
gas-fired generation by 21 per cent. This continued a longer-term trend
that meant greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 35 per cent compared to
the previous December quarter.”
The latest figures also show a fall in electricity consumption across
all sectors, down three per cent compared to the same period last year.
“Most of this decrease is due to lower electricity consumption within
the agriculture sector, with increased rainfall likely to have resulted
in less demand for irrigation,” Ms Collins says.
The New Zealand Energy Quarterly is released by the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
--ENDS--
Source: New Zealand Government - www.beehive.govt.nz
Contact: N/A
External Links:
New Zealand Energy Quarterly:
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/energy/energy-data-modelling/publications/new-zealand-energy-quarterly
Read about electricity cost and price monitoring:
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/energy/energy-data-modelling/statistics/prices/electricity-prices
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