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Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has today written to the Electricity Authority to request an inquiry into the Auckland power outage.

“This week’s outage was a significant event which disrupted thousands of homes and businesses,” Mr Bridges says. 

“Even in an electricity system that has strong security of supply, which I believe we have, there is always the possibility of something like this happening. 

Five exploration permits have been awarded in the South Island to a new international minerals exploration company as a result of the New Zealand Platinum Tender 2013. 

Canadian-backed company Lynx Platinum Limited has been awarded three exploration permits covering 355km² near Murchison and two exploration permits covering 168km² north of Invercargill.

New power price data released today shows the Government’s 2010 electricity reforms are making a real difference for consumers, says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

"The sales data released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for the year ending March 2014, shows the lowest annual price increase since 2001 at 2.3 per cent,” Mr Bridges says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges leaves for China today to attend the 5th Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Mining.

This year’s meeting has three themes: forging closer cooperation of the mining industry in the Asia-Pacific region; innovation-driven growth; and social responsibility and common development.

“These are all important issues for New Zealand’s mining sector.  The progression of them is key to the development of our rich resource potential in a safe, responsible and environmentally sound way,” Mr Bridges says.

Ministers today welcomed a report released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on oil and gas drilling.

Environment Minister Amy Adams and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges say the Commissioner’s report is a useful contribution to the discussion on how best to manage the environmental effects of onshore petroleum development, including hydraulic fracturing.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges tonight congratulated the winners and finalists in the 2014 EECA Awards. 

“The line-up of exciting projects at the EECA Awards tonight demonstrates that New Zealand businesses and community organisations are taking energy efficiency seriously – and the results are impressive,” Mr Bridges says. 

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed a new gold explorer to New Zealand.

Silver City NZ Pty Ltd has been awarded a five-year permit to explore for gold as a result of the Epithermal Gold 2013 tender.  The exploration permit covers 33km² on the central North Island volcanic plateau, south of Kawerau.

Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges today announced the establishment of a renewable heat hub initiative in Southland to increase the uptake of renewable energy.

“Business heat accounts for approximately 30 per cent of New Zealand’s energy use, with around two-thirds generated from fossil fuels,” Mr Bridges says.

“By encouraging businesses to switch to renewable energy sources, such as wood, to generate their heat, we can significantly reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions.

Two hundred and fifty thousand New Zealand homes have now been insulated under two Government programmes set up to make homes warmer and healthier.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says the Government’s insulation programmes have reduced the health risks and improved the comfort of many Kiwi households.

Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges today announced three energy efficiency initiatives to improve business productivity, save money and reduce carbon emissions.

“The energy sector, specifically transport and industrial heat, are two key areas where energy efficiency initiatives have the potential to save thousands of dollars for businesses and reduce carbon emissions,” Mr Bridges says. 

“Businesses use around 70 per cent of New Zealand’s total energy, which is worth around $8 billion each year.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today launched the third annual Block Offer for oil and gas exploration.

“In 2012 the Government introduced the Block Offer regime which provides an efficient, predictable and transparent process for oil and gas exploration permitting. 

“The new regime has attracted world-class international operators to New Zealand, and we believe the 405,000 square kilometres released for tender this year will be similarly attractive,” Mr Bridges says.  

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced changes to improve electricity price monitoring and provide more accurate information about how the market is performing.

“Because of the Government’s 2010 reforms, the electricity market is more competitive than it has ever been,” Mr Bridges says. 

“With more customers switching between retailers and new retailers coming into the market, discounts of up to $300 per year are available to consumers who shop around. 

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the members of a New Zealand Smart Grid Forum to advance the development of smart electricity networks in New Zealand.

“The term ‘smart grid’ encompasses all the challenges and opportunities for our electricity system presented by emerging technologies and changing consumer preferences,” Mr Bridges says. 

“Future electricity systems will need to be smarter to respond to those different demands. 

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges leaves tonight for Norway, the United States and Canada to meet ministerial counterparts and industry experts.

Discussions will focus on the latest developments in petroleum regulatory systems for health and safety and the environment, as well as issues and challenges facing the global energy market.

Mr Bridges will also be promoting New Zealand as an energy exploration and production destination and fostering bilateral energy relationships with key partners.

The Green Party's belief in their ability to make money magically appear seems to have no limits says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

"The Greens’ solar power policy creates low interest loans that make expensive solar power suddenly a cheaper option for kiwi families, with ‘apparently’ no government subsidy involved.

"I have news for the Greens — if it’s a lower interest rate than normal, it must involve a government subsidy. And if it makes the cost of solar power cheaper for families than existing power options it also must involve a subsidy.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the establishment of a New Zealand Smart Grid Forum to advance the development of smart electricity networks in New Zealand.

“Emerging technologies will make different demands on the electricity systems of the future,” Mr Bridges says.

“Smarter electricity networks will be needed, capable of transferring energy between a more diverse range of generators and consumers, while balancing demand and supply.

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

David Coull has been appointed as a member of the Board, while Marion Cowden has been reappointed Deputy Chair and Mervyn English has been reappointed as a member.

“The appointments will ensure the Board maintains its strong governance and strategic capability,” says Mr Bridges.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the award of ten new oil and gas exploration permits as a result of Block Offer 2013.

The permits include five onshore permits across Taranaki and the East Coast and five offshore permits across the Reinga-Northland, Taranaki, and Great South-Canterbury Basins.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges have welcomed the Environment Court’s decision to grant resource consents to Bathurst Resources for their Escarpment Mine on the West Coast of the South Island.

“The Escarpment Mine and associated works are expected to create 225 direct jobs and approximately $85 million each year will go to employees, suppliers, contractors and transport providers,” Mr Bridges says.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges welcome the start of operations to re-enter Pike River Coal Mine’s main tunnel up to the rock fall.

“The Government has been working closely with Solid Energy to ensure the re-entry plan can be safely carried out. Safety is paramount, and the project will be carefully managed with a risk assessment undertaken at each stage,” says Mr Bridges.

235,000 homes have been insulated under the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme, well above the original target set.

“When the Government launched the programme in 2009 to help make Kiwi homes warmer, drier and healthier, we had a target of 188,500 insulated by 2013,” says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

“The programme has seen 235,000 homes insulated, directly improving the living conditions of many thousands of New Zealanders.  This is a resounding success.”

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the start of the Block Offer 2014 process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits.

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

“This is an important first step in the Block Offer process and I encourage iwi and local authorities to take part.  Their feedback ensures that any areas of sensitivity are carefully considered before the 2014 tender round is finalised.”

The petroleum and minerals sector generates $333 per hour worked, making it the most productive in the New Zealand economy, a new Government report shows.

The Petroleum and Minerals Sector Report was today released in Wellington by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

The report notes that in the last six years New Zealand has seen:

The Government has approved conditional funding of a staged plan to re-enter and explore the main tunnel leading up to the rock fall at the Pike River Coal Mine, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has announced.

The decision follows approval in principle of the re-entry plan risk assessment by the Solid Energy Board.

Mr Bridges said the Government will fund the estimated cost of the plan, at $7.2 million.