KEY POINTS:
A push for more fuel efficient cars and subsidies to help save electricity have been revealed in the Government's energy strategy released today.
The Government has already announced it is aiming for 90 per cent of all electricity generation to be from renewable energy sources by 2025 and today it added more goals and means of achieving them.
At top of the list was encouraging more energy efficiency with:
* Up to 180,000 upgrades of households insulation, heating and solar hot water upgrades;
* Tougher energy efficiency standards for buildings;
* Programmes to remove energy wasting appliances such as old fridges; and
* Enforcing the need for cars to be more efficient and capable of using biofuel.
Energy Minister David Parker said the strategy was largely unchanged from the draft with the main goals remaining ensuring security of supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr Parker confirmed that it would write a national policy statement to give guidance to local authorities when considering energy generation permit applications and was effectively banning any new thermal based power stations.
The strategy included the target of halving domestic transport emissions per capita by 2040.
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said money to subsidise energy efficiency had proven to be cost-effective.
"This is an action plan to make a real difference to Kiwi families so that they can live in warmer, drier, healthier homes that cost less to heat, for businesses to become more competitive, and to save money and emissions in the transport sector," Ms Fitzsimons said.
The aim was to save 30 petajoules per year in non-transport energy - that is about 30 cities the size of Nelson - and by transport using 4.8 billion litres of fuel less by 2025.
For businesses there would also be grants to use more efficient machinery and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
The strategy also flagged the possibility of mandatory energy standards for homes including rental properties, a scheme to retire old cars from the road and more work on rail electrification.
- NZPA
