7. SUE MORONEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy
What assistance has the Government provided to marine energy projects in New Zealand?
Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of Energy) Link to this
Wave and tidal power look set to join our already abundant array of renewable electricity resources. Today, the first grant from the Government’s Marine Energy Deployment Fund has been announced. This will cause New Zealand’s first marine electricity generation project to proceed. The grant of $1.85 million to Crest Energy will result in marine electricity generation from turbines in the Kaipara Harbour—another step towards carbon neutrality.
What reports has the Minister seen of further interest in developing New Zealand’s wave energy potential?
The Australian company Carnegie Corporation and a Scottish company, Ocean Power Delivery, are separately considering the western coast of New Zealand for testing their wave technologies. Carnegie Corporation is reported as saying it is attracted to New Zealand by the Government’s commitment to renewable energy. Two other New Zealand - designed marine electricity generation devices are also under development. I note that the World Energy Council estimates that wave power from the oceans could produce around twice the world’s current electricity production. Obviously not all wave power could or would be harnessed, but it shows the enormous potential of this new technology.
Gerry BrownleeCan the Minister tell the House whether wave power electricity generation is providing commercial quantities of electricity anywhere in the world, and, if so, how much; does he think that his commitment to wave power will mean New Zealand’s reliance this year on a broken-down Cook Strait cable and an asbestos-riddled gas plant at New Plymouth will mean the lights will stay on; and will Meridian Energy increase its power prices?
Referring to the first part of the question, I understand that there are commercial-scale marine electricity generation devices being deployed at the moment off Portugal, but that they are still in their infancy. Of course, this Government is bringing forward these technologies through the likes of our development fund. In terms of the member’s question as to the comments that the member made yesterday in respect of spot prices increasing the price of power for residential consumers, the member will probably have seen a report of the comments made today on Radio New Zealand National by Mr Baldwin, the chief executive of Contact Energy, saying the opposite of that.
Peter BrownCan the Minister confirm that the Australians already have a marine energy generating device working off the coast of Sydney that not only produces electricity but also, as I understand it, converts saltwater into fresh water?