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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. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Good morning ladies and gentlemen — it is a pleasure to be here. 

Our abundance of energy and minerals resources provides us with unique opportunities to build the New Zealand economy. 

Over the past three years the Government has made significant changes to how the sector is regulated.

We’ve done the groundwork necessary to attract investment and build our collective understanding of New Zealand’s potential. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Introduction

Good morning everyone.   It’s a pleasure to be here for the 2014 AusIMM New Zealand Annual Conference – my second since becoming Energy and Resources Minister.

The minerals industry plays a major role in New Zealand’s economy, contributing more than $1 billion to our GDP, producing vital inputs for industry, and adding significantly to our exports.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

It’s a pleasure to be back at the West Coast Minerals Forum for another year. 

The minerals industry is important for New Zealand. 

The sector plays a major role in our economy and contributes more than $1 billion to our GDP.  It is highly productive, provides high-reward jobs for New Zealanders, produces vital materials for industry, and adds significantly to our exports.

Developing our mineral resources can take decades — it is a long term game that the Government is committed to supporting.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

I’m very pleased to be here today – thank you for inviting me to open your conference.

The electricity industry plays a vital role in the daily lives of all New Zealanders. It has a proud history, and of course engineers have been an essential part of this.
 
I would like to acknowledge the contribution the Electricity Engineers Association has made for more than 85 years, including providing valuable feedback on government proposals and reforms.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Amy Adams
  • Labour
  • Environment
  • Energy and Resources

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. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Good morning - it’s a pleasure to be attending this conference on bioenergy at this time, when there is so much happening in this field. 

Countries around the world are facing the same energy challenge. 

We want to continue to grow our economies and help our people to prosper. 

This means we need secure and affordable energy.

At the same time, we’ve got to reduce our carbon emissions. 

There is no single solution to reducing emissions. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Countries around the world are facing similar energy challenges.

We want to continue to grow our economies and help our people to prosper, but we need to reduce our carbon emissions and respond to climate change.

At the moment, the world is in a transition phase towards a low carbon future.

In the US, President Obama speaks of an “all of the above” policy on energy. That is also what we have here in New Zealand – a mixed and balanced approach to our energy future.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Today countries around the world are facing the same energy challenge – we want to continue to grow our economies and help our people to prosper, but we need to reduce our carbon emissions and respond to climate change. 

At the moment, the world is in a transition phase towards a low carbon future. 

In the US, President Obama speaks of an “all of the above” policy on energy.  That is also what we have here in New Zealand – a mixed and balanced approach to our energy future.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. 

It’s great to see so many people, including the many international guests, here today.  I hope those of you from overseas have an opportunity to see some of the sights that our country is renowned for before you return home.

I want to take a minute or two at the outset this morning to tell you about a couple of the key points I made at the National Energy Research Institute conference here in Wellington a fortnight ago. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.  

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

The Global Energy Challenge

Energy is an integral part of our lives.

It is the foundation on which we build economic growth, prosperity and progress in our societies.  

Across the globe, we are all facing the same basic energy challenge.    

We want our citizens and countries to continue to develop and prosper.  

But we need to reduce carbon emissions from our energy use and respond to climate change.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

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.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources