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Energy Data File highlights rich lignite resources
Energy Data File highlights rich lignite
resources
Straterra, the industry group representing New Zealand’s natural resources industries, says release of the 2009 edition of The New Zealand Energy Data File highlights the huge – and largely untapped – economical potential of the country’s natural resources.
The File, released by Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee, is produced annually by the Ministry of Economic Development. It provides comprehensive statistics and supporting information on New Zealand’s energy supply, demand and prices.
“As is well documented, and again highlighted in the Energy Data File, lignite is New Zealand’s largest fossil fuel energy resource,” said Straterra Chief Executive Richard Michael. “Demand domestically and internationally is increasing – underlining that this resource offers huge economical potential to New Zealand.”
The Energy Data File says New Zealand’s main lignite deposits are well known “with technically and economically recoverable quantities in the 10 largest deposits established at over 6 billion tonnes”.
“The
total value of New Zealand’s lignite deposits depends on
how they are assumed to be monetised, but even their lowest
end value – used as a direct fuel for heat generation is
estimated at $300-500 billion,” said Mr
Michael.
“Extracted at a rate of 20 million tonnes per
year, lignite resources could provide energy and feedstock
for most of New Zealand’s transport fuel and petrochemical
requirements for at least 500 years.”
He said Solid
Energy already has significant research underway into using
lignite to manufacture diesel and has also been assessing
options for upgrading Southland lignite for use as a
convenient, cleaner solid fuel.
“There are no
significant challenges to ensuring that lignite can be used
in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, and
the potential is vast.”
About Straterra
Straterra, which was launched in September 2008, aims to provide a united voice for companies working in the oil, gas, aggregates, minerals, metals and coal industries. The sector has annual revenues exceeding four billion dollars and exports of around two billion dollars. Independent studies demonstrate the potential to double these revenues and provide much needed employment in the New Zealand economy.
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