Energy strategy too focused on fossil fuels

Gerry Brownlee. Photo / Supplied.

The Government's draft energy strategy prioritises unsustainable fossil fuels over renewable energy sources, a climate change campaigner says.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee released the draft New Zealand Energy Strategy (NZES) and a draft New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NZEECS) yesterday.

He said the strategies had been updated to align with government energy policy priorities and to reflect a stronger focus on economic development.

The NZES sets the strategic direction for the energy sector and the role energy will play in the economy.

The NZEECS is a companion strategy, specifically focusing on the promotion of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy.

"The Government proposes to reaffirm the target that 90 per cent of electricity generation be from renewable energy sources by 2025, providing this does not affect security of supply," Mr Brownlee said.

Peter Hardstaff, of WWF New Zealand, said the NZES failed to present a convincing strategy for how the 90 per cent target would be reached.

"It is riddled with holes."

Meanwhile, there was significant depth and detail on plans for fossil fuel extraction, he said.

"The Government's task is to provide New Zealanders with an energy strategy to secure access to safe, renewable energy prices of oil rise and bring down greenhouse gas emissions."

It failed to do that, Mr Hardstaff said.

Submissions on the drafts close on September 2.

- NZPA