Solar Action: Energy Conservation Critical

Press Release: Solar Action

11 October 2007 - Dunedin

Solar Action media release for immediate use

Energy Conservation Critical if Government Wants to Meet Energy Policy Goals.

The Executive of Solar Action today welcomed the release of the New Zealand Energy Strategy (NZES) and New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NZEECS) announced by the Government.

"Solar Action welcomes the Government's target of generating 90% of New Zealand's electricity from renewable sources by 2025," said Inga Smith, Co-chair of Solar Action.

"However, Solar Action is concerned that such a target will not be met unless the Government and its related agencies recognise the need for energy conservation by industrial, commercial, and residential consumers."

"Despite Solar Action and other groups raising this issue in submissions to the draft NZES and NZEECS documents, energy conservation is not seriously addressed in the final version of either document."

"Indeed, despite the NZEECS repeatedly using the phrase 'energy efficiency and conservation measures' throughout the document, the phrase 'energy conservation' is not included in the glossaries to the NZES and NZEECS. This is despite the phrase 'energy efficiency' being defined in those glossaries, as per the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000."

"For the record, the definition of 'energy conservation' given in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 is 'energy conservation means a reduction in energy use'. Solar Action looks forward to the Government addressing this critical aspect of energy policy implementation."

Solar Action was formed in 1979 and is a New Zealand renewable energy advocacy group.

ENDS

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