Engineer queries energy strategy

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee. Photo / Greg Bowker

An engineer has poured cold water on Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee's draft energy strategy involving reduction of fossil-fuel power and more emphasis on wind generation.

The Government has called for 90 per cent of New Zealand's electricity to be generated renewably by 2025, a significant lift from the current 73 per cent generated from hydro, geothermal and wind resources. The nation last generated more than 90 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources in 1981.

The Institute of Professional Engineers' policy director, Tim Davin, yesterday questioned whether the Government's strategy was capable of achieving the objectives for energy efficiency, renewables, emissions and security of supply.

Even if all generators now under construction and consent were built, the level of renewable sources in the electricity consumed in 2025 was likely to be 68 per cent, he said.

One scenario involving the partial closure of Huntly Power Station and two large gas plants with more emphasis on South Island wind generation was "not going to happen".

He said research into marine energy should be based on wave-power, rather than tidal generators, though he noted the engineering community was split on this.

- NZPA