Scenarios for avoiding electricity crisis

15 November 2005

Commissioner to present scenarios for avoiding electricity crisis

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE), Dr Morgan Williams is going to be presenting future electricity scenarios for New Zealand at events in Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland next week.

The presentation tour organized by the Sustainable business Network (SBN) was prompted by a recent report released by the PCE - Future Currents: Electricity Scenarios for New Zealand 2005-2050. The report sates that New Zealand needs some fresh thinking about energy so we can move away from last century's model of building more and more big electricity projects to meet our energy needs.

According to the PCE report, commercial and industrial business sectors consume 66% of the total electricity produced in New Zealand. Worries about depletion of the Maui gas field, resistance to more large scale electricity infrastructure developments and widespread concerns about the social and economic impacts of rising electricity prices highlight some of the challenges facing the energy sector. Climate change and rising oil prices are also major issues.

Bay of Plenty Regional manager for SBN, Calum Revfem says the three events provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to understand the current electricity situation and the benefits to be gained by investing in demand-side energy efficiencies.

The PCE presentations take place in Rotorua and Hamilton on November 17 and in Auckland at a breakfast on November 18. Interest in the presentations is high, with the Hamilton event already fully booked.

ENDS

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