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The latest New Zealand Energy Quarterly, released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment today shows the highest renewable electricity generation in 20 years for a September quarter, Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced that while Block Offer 2016 received a low number of bids in comparison to previous years, exploration activity is continuing.

As a result of Block Offer 2016, one onshore Taranaki permit will be granted to Todd Energy.

“The global downturn in the petroleum industry that began in late 2014 has had a profound effect on exploration expenditure worldwide”, Minister Bridges says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today opened public consultation on a new national renewable energy strategy.

The draft replacement of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy proposes actions that will help New Zealand make the most of its clean, renewable energy sources.

“Energy efficiency and increased use of our renewables are critical for our environment and our economy,” Mr Bridges says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced two new appointments and a reappointment to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Board.

Catherine Taylor has been appointed as the new Deputy Chair of the Board and Karen Sherry has been appointed as a member. David Coull has been reappointed as a member.  The appointments are for three years, effective 1 February 2017.

Changes to petrol and diesel specifications will support the growth of lower-emission fuels, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

Amendments are being made to the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011, which set out minimum standards for fuel performance.

The changes include reducing the sulphur level allowed in petrol from 50 to 10 parts per million; introducing a total oxygen limit, which potentially allows a wider range of fuel blends; and raising the biodiesel blend limit in diesel from five to seven per cent.

Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges has thanked departing EECA chief executive Mike Underhill for decades of service to New Zealand’s energy sector.

Mr Underhill retires after 10 years at the helm of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

“Mr Underhill has made a huge contribution to New Zealand’s energy sector through both the private and public sector,” Minister Bridges says.

Energy and Resources and Transport Minister Simon Bridges has introduced the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill to Parliament today.

The Bill implements parts of the Government’s Electric Vehicles Programme, makes changes to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) levy funding, and clarifies how electricity industry legislation applies to secondary networks.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges leaves for Singapore today to attend International Energy Week.

The global event brings together 28,000 representatives of the energy industry, Governments and non-government organisations from across the Asia-Pacific region and from around the world.

Discussions will focus on the future of energy supply and ensuring people across the region have access to reliable energy.

The proportion of renewable energy used in New Zealand continues to reach record levels, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

The finding was released today in the annual Energy in New Zealand report, which highlights key trends in energy supply, demand and pricing for the 2015 calendar year.

The report shows that renewable energy provided 40.1 per cent of New Zealand’s total primary energy supply in 2015.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the start of the Block Offer 2017 process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits.

Consultation with iwi begins now and will begin with local authorities from October 17 in the areas being proposed for onshore and offshore exploration.

“This is an important first step in the Block Offer process.  Feedback from iwi and local authorities ensures that any areas of sensitivity are identified and carefully considered before the tender round is finalised,” Mr Bridges says.

Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today opened the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.

The fund is one of 14 initiatives in the Government’s electric vehicles programme, which has a target of doubling the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021.

Up to $4 million is available in 2016/17 with up to $6 million available in future years.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has introduced the Land Transport Amendment Bill to Parliament today which will modernise regulation of small passenger services, update rules for heavy vehicles and improve road safety.

“The Land Transport Amendment Bill will overhaul key areas of transport law to modernise the sector and make travelling more efficient and safer,” Mr Bridges says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has launched the Government’s electric vehicles information campaign to mark the start of International Drive Electric Week.

The international event has started and runs until 18 September. 

“International Drive Electric Week will be the biggest ever celebration of electric vehicles in New Zealand, increasing from just a few events in 2015 to more than 50 events around the country this year. Our EV community is hosting the most events outside of the United States,” Mr Bridges says.

A change to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) levy funding will enable an increased focus on improving New Zealand’s energy productivity and reducing emissions, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the members of the Electric Vehicles (EVs) Leadership Group as part of the Government’s programme to accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand.

In May the Government launched its Electric Vehicles Programme which aims to double the number of EVs on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021.

Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today released details of the first round of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. 

The fund is part of the Government’s ambitious electric vehicles (EVs) programme announced in May to help accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand.

Up to $4 million is available in 2016/17, with up to $6 million available in future years.

Ten per cent of New Zealand’s urban streets are now lit by safer, cheaper and more efficient LED lighting, Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

The Government is investing $36 million to ensure more New Zealand families live in warmer, drier and healthier homes, Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges say.

The investment includes:

Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges has switched on New Zealand’s first Tesla Energy Powerwall battery at a South Auckland primary school.

The Powerwall and solar system by lines company Vector was launched at Otara’s Rongomai School, one of thirty Auckland schools which will benefit from the state-of-the-art solar and battery package.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced an ambitious and wide ranging package of measures to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has acknowledged Genesis Energy’s continuing commitment to phasing out its two remaining coal units by 2022.

“It is clear that this transitional arrangement is a short-term security of supply solution and the removal of the coal units remain a matter of when, not if,” Mr Bridges says.

Last year Genesis proposed closing their two Rankine Units at the Huntly Power Station by 2018, but the industry has signalled it requires further time to ensure security of supply issues can be managed.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says Kiwis can think smarter about their electricity consumption with seven out of 10 households now having a smart meter installed.

“Smart meters offer consumers a range of benefits including greater information on electricity consumption patterns and a wider range of electricity prices and plans to choose from,” Mr Bridges says.

“Consumers with a smart meter are charged based on more timely meter readings, avoiding the need for estimated readings or a visit from a meter reader.”

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today launched the 2016 Block Offer petroleum tender.

Block Offer 2016 includes four offshore release areas, in the Reinga-Northland Basin, Taranaki Basin, Pegasus and East Coast Basins, and Great South-Canterbury Basin. There is one onshore release area in Taranaki.

The total acreage included in the tender is 525,515km², including 1,062 km² onshore.

Transport and Energy Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges today opened two new electric vehicle charging stations at Bayfair Shopping Centre.

“As Minister of both Transport and Energy & Resources, I’ve long been a proponent of electric vehicles so it’s great to see local businesses getting on board and providing this infrastructure free to the Tauranga community,” Mr Bridges says.