Wednesday, 26 September 2001 Media Statement

Govt sector met electricity savings target

Energy Minister Pete Hodgson says he is satisfied the government sector met its 15 percent electricity savings target during the government's power savings campaign.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has advised Mr Hodgson that the government sector reported average electricity savings of 14.6 percent over the five weeks to 7 September. Savings over each of the last three weeks exceeded the target, ranging between 15-18 percent.

More than 50 government organisations with sites of over 5000 square metres provided the results. The size of the sample suggest the savings identified should be representative of the government sector as a whole.

EECA has requested information from the organisations involved on their electricity consumption over the three months to 30 September to help evaluate the power saving campaign. This information will inform EECA's submission to the government's review of this winter's electricity supply situation [www.winterreview.govt.nz].

"It was important for the government sector to provide leadership in the national effort to save electricity and I'm pleased it rose to the challenge," Mr Hodgson said. It is now important that as much of that saving as possible can be turned into a permanent reduction in electricity use. That is the message EECA is now giving the public sector."

Instructions went out to public sector agencies in the week ending August 3 to find ways to save 15 percent of their usual electricity use. The public were asked to save 10 percent.

ENDS

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