Study shows more renewable energy potential
13 February 2007
More than 1000 MW of potential electricity generation from renewable resources has been identified in the Manawatu - Wanganui region.
The study, commissioned by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), identifies the amount of renewable energy that could potentially be developed in the region.
The report identified opportunities across several technologies, including:
- Hydro: about 600 MW in mini, small and medium scale projects (excludes current capacity of 40MW)
- Wind: approximately 200 – 400 MW of additional wind capacity (excluding current capacity of 160 MW and a further 140 MW under construction)
- Ethanol: about 27 million litres of ethanol per year for transport fuel from grain crops currently growing in the region
- Biomass: about 60 million litres per year of ethanol or a small amount of electricity generation could be derived from forestry biomass
- Solar: significant solar water heating potential.
There is also potential for a small amount of electricity generation from wave energy resource in the future.
The assessment did not account for the effect environmental and cultural issues will have on this renewable energy potential. These are addressed at a local level through the Resource Management Act.
The resources are all available outside National Parks and use technologies that are already economic or are likely to become economic over the course of the next ten years.
"Renewable energy resources have a major role to play in meeting our demand for energy in a sustainable way. We realised there was an opportunity to work with Horizon Regional Council to identify what renewable energy resources they have in the area, and how to integrate this information into their planning processes,” said Angus Davidson, Acting Chief Executive of EECA.
Future development of the region’s renewable potential has been taken into account in the Horizon Regional Council’s One Plan, currently being finalised.
EECA works to remove the barriers and provide information to encourage the uptake of renewable energy in New Zealand.
>> View the report [PDF 1.53 MB]