Renewable Energy Policy Statement

In 1993, the Government released its Renewable Energy Policy Statement. Its key objective is to ensure "the continuing availability of energy services at the lowest cost to the economy as a whole consistent with sustainable development." At the time, there were no specific quantitative targets or plans for future renewable energy use in New Zealand. However, recent government forecasts, based on the target of 30 PJ in the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, indicate that renewable energy supply will increase by around a fifth in 2010 compared with 1996, mainly due to increased electricity generation from wind, combustible renewables and wastes, and geothermal.