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Good morning everyone, and thanks for the opportunity to present to you today. I’d like to start by talking a little about the role Government plays in ensuring the safe, efficient and reliable supply of transport fuels, minimising barriers to competition, and promoting a competitive market.

Of course, environmental outcomes are also very important.

Government’s role

As Energy Ministers, the delivery of resilient energy infrastructure is at the heart of what we do.

Climate-proofing that infrastructure is an increasingly important part of that work as we seek to understand the growing uncertainties and challenges presented by climate change and extreme weather events.

In New Zealand, the 2011 Canterbury Earthquake was a stark reminder of the devastating impact a natural disaster can have.  Here in the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan wreaked havoc just two years ago.

Transport and Energy and Resources Minister, Simon Bridges, will attend APEC meetings in the Philippines this week, promoting economic cooperation and opportunities.

Mr Bridges will attend the 9th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting from 8-10 October, and the 12th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting from 12-14 October.

The Transportation Ministerial Meeting includes sessions on investment, resilience, intelligent transport systems and clean technology.

Thank you all for having me here this morning to address you for the first time at your annual conference.

Smart Technology

I wanted to start by talking a little about smart technology and the increasingly important role is will play in your sector.

This is a time of great opportunity for New Zealand’s electricity sector and I commend the ENA for its efforts to promote greater innovation in New Zealand’s electricity market.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has reappointed Dr Brent Layton as chair of the Electricity Authority and Susan Paterson and Elena Trout as members.

The Electricity Authority is an independent Crown entity established in November 2010 to replace the former Electricity Commission. 

It is responsible for governance and regulation of the electricity market and its objective is to promote competition, reliable supply, and the efficient operation of the electricity sector for the long term benefit of consumers.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says it’s encouraging an experts’ electricity forum has endorsed the Government’s market-led approach to regulating the electricity sector.

The Smart Grid Forum, which was established last year to help advance smart electricity development in New Zealand, has released its first year-end report today.

Amongst its key findings is that New Zealand is well-positioned to adapt to new, smart technology that will help benefit consumers.

Block Offer 2016, the Government process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits, is underway, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

“Consultation now begins with iwi and local authorities in the areas being proposed for onshore and offshore exploration,” Mr Bridges says.

“This is an essential first step in the Block Offer process.  The feedback from these groups ensures that any areas of sensitivity are carefully considered before the tender round is finalised.”

The latest Energy in New Zealand (ENZ) report shows the proportion of renewable energy making up our domestic supply is at a record high, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

ENZ is the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s annual, flagship publication on key trends in the energy sector.

It shows that in 2014, renewable energy made up 39.5 per cent of New Zealand’s total primary energy supply. 

Genesis Energy’s decision to close its two remaining coal units by 2018 is a sign of the times and reflects the growth of New Zealand’s world-leading renewable energy industry, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

“Historically coal has played an important role in ensuring the security of New Zealand’s electricity supply, particularly in dry years where our hydro-lake levels are low.

Increased competition in the electricity market is continuing to benefit consumers, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

Today’s release of the 2014 residential electricity market performance review by the Electricity Authority shows consumers have more choice than ever and are saving more when they switch.

In 2014, more than 385,000 consumers switched retailers, with average savings of $162 a year.

“The data shows that, across all regions, there were savings to be made for consumers who switched providers,” Mr Bridges says.

It’s good to be back at the Minerals West Coast Forum to speak to you all again.

This is the third time I have spoken at the forum and it’s a special privilege to be here to mark the 150th year of mining on the West Coast. This region was founded on mining and the industry has a rich history which we should celebrate.

Let me begin by saying again how important the minerals industry is to the Government and to New Zealand.

Minerals make an important contribution to our economy

Energy and Resources Minister, Simon Bridges, says a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today will strengthen the strategic partnership in renewable energy research and development between New Zealand and Japan.

Mr Bridges witnessed the signing of the MOU, between New Zealand’s GNS Science and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) during his visit to Tokyo this week.  The MOU establishes the basis for cooperation in geothermal energy.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges will promote New Zealand as a test bed for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and new investments through a range of meetings in the USA and Japan this week.

On the first leg of his trip, Mr Bridges will meet with major vehicle manufacturers and businesses at the cutting-edge of transport and energy technologies in Silicon Valley, California.

“I believe New Zealand has strong potential as a test-bed for new transport technologies, something I am keen to promote to the USA.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today congratulates OMV on their successful completion of the Maari Growth campaign in offshore Taranaki.

“OMV have announced that their drilling campaign is now completed, with the capacity of the Maari field expected to double to 20,000 barrels a day,” Mr Bridges says.

Four new wells were drilled during the project, with an investment of around $500 million.  The project was the first to be granted a marine consent for offshore development drilling through the Environmental Protection Authority.

Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser and Energy and Resources Minister, Simon Bridges, today welcomed an International Energy Agency (IEA) report on energy and climate change. Minister Groser is special adviser on climate change to the International Energy Agency.

The report highlights that world greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and use are double the level of greenhouse gas emissions from all other sources. It suggests a number of strategies to reduce these.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed a marine consent that will allow continued activity on the Maui gas field.

Today the Environmental Protection Authority granted a 35 year marine consent to Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS) which will allow the continued production of natural gas and condensate off the Taranaki coast.

“The Maui field is New Zealand’s most successful offshore gas discovery and continues to make an important contribution to our economy and our energy security,” Mr Bridges says.

The Energy and Resources Minister, Simon Bridges, is travelling to Melbourne today to promote New Zealand as an exploration destination to some of the world’s largest petroleum companies.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association’s (APPEA) annual conference is Australia’s largest petroleum conference and is attended by thousands of delegates, including a range of New Zealand businesses and government agencies like New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals (NZP&M) and GNS Science.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says Southland is fast becoming a hub for the nation’s energy efficiency activities and he believes this can play a vital role in growing Southland’s economy, with benefits for the rest of New Zealand.

“Southland is home to some exciting energy efficiency projects, it’s great to see local industry is adopting a progressive approach to developing sustainable and economic energy options.”

Good morning and welcome to the World Geothermal Congress. It is a real pleasure to be here and I’m sure that, like me, you are all looking forward to a fascinating few days.

In recent years we’ve heard a lot about the idea of an 'energy trilemma'.  As the World Energy Council puts it, we need to balance the tensions between the need for energy reliability and security, society’s need for accessible and affordable energy, and the need for environmental sustainability.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges will be promoting New Zealand’s world-leading renewable energy expertise at an international conference in Melbourne this week.

Along with Australia, New Zealand is co-hosting the 2015 World Geothermal Congress where Mr Bridges will deliver the keynote address.

“As the world transitions towards a lower carbon future, the increased demand for renewable energy, coupled with the ongoing interest in energy security, has focused attention on geothermal energy.

Good morning,

It is great to be with you today and can I warmly welcome our international guests. May you have a wonderful time in New Zealand.

Over the last couple of years we’ve been hearing a lot about the idea of an 'energy trilemma'.  As the World Energy Council puts it, we need to balance the tensions between the need for energy security, society’s need for accessible and affordable energy, and the need for environmental sustainability.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has launched Block Offer 2015, the annual tender for oil and gas exploration permits.

“In 2012 the Government introduced the Block Offer regime which provides an efficient and transparent process for oil and gas permitting, and each year has attracted investment from experienced and capable operators.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says new figures showing renewable energy contributed almost 80 percent of New Zealand’s electricity generation last year are very encouraging.

At 79.9 percent, the share of renewable electricity generation in 2014 is the highest it has been since 1996.

The figures were released today in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s December quarter 2014 edition of the NZ Energy Quarterly.

Urban streets will soon be lined with safer, cheaper, more efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting thanks to an accelerated funding model, Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

At today’s Road Lighting Conference in Auckland, the Minister announced a NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) policy change that will allow local authorities looking at upgrading road lighting to LED to access funding faster.