11. H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) Link to this
to the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues
What reports, if any, has he received on efforts to reduce electricity-related emissions?
Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues) Link to this
Today Genesis Energy released a report showing that in its first month of operation the E3P plant at Huntly has significantly reduced electricity-related emissions because less coal was burned. This is good progress. New Zealand also has abundant cost-effective renewables awaiting development. These will contribute further to the Government’s goal of carbon neutrality. Project West Wind, for example, at peak will provide enough electricity for Wellington, and there is plenty more where that came from.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that he has received reports that total carbon emissions from Huntly in July were 32 percent down on the same period last year?
Indeed, I can. The Huntly greenhouse gas emissions were one-third lower last month than they were in the same month last year. This is good news. In the same announcement—and I think this was quite a significant announcement today—Genesis stated that its intention is to progressively retire Huntly into a drought-year reserve role. This is good news, and it is significant, both in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and drought-year security margins. I will be urging the Electricity Commission, Genesis, and other market participants to progress their consideration of how this additional dry-year reserve can best be incorporated into the system in coming years.
Metiria TureiCan the Minister see any reason at all for Genesis to build a new gas-fired power station, or for that matter for Solid Energy to build a new lignite-fired power station when, according to the New Zealand Energy Strategy, there is around 4,500 megawatts of geothermal and wind resource available at less than the cost of either gas or coal?
It is true that the New Zealand Energy Strategy does make it clear that New Zealand has considerable renewable energy resources that, if we can consent them—and I am confident we will be able to—will be affordable. Indeed, they are shown in that document to be at less than the cost of fossil fuels, and that issue is one that will be considered in the final energy strategy.
Hon Pete HodgsonCan the Minister advise how an electricity company might account to a customer for electricity and the related emissions if that customer lives in one house, votes from a second house, and attaches his companies to a third house?
No, I cannot. I think I would be a bit like an electricity company—I would be a bit confused by that. But I suppose, knowing electricity companies as I do, that they would cover their bases and send three bills.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister confirm for the House that security of supply will be assured despite lower carbon emissions; and can the Minister guarantee that the lights will stay on at all addresses across Auckland from as far north as Helensville to as far south as Remuera, given that lights at some of these addresses appear to be fading already?