7. PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy and Resources
What steps is the Government taking to encourage businesses to be more energy-efficient?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) Link to this
Research by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has identified about $2 billion per annum of achievable energy savings in the business sector. The authority provides energy audits to help businesses identify those opportunities. With over 600 audits completed so far, we can see that for every dollar invested in an energy audit about $7.50 in savings opportunities is identified.
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Link to this
What are the economic benefits of the business energy audit scheme?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
In the last 5 years the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has invested $3.9 million in the scheme, and accumulated annual energy savings of around 500 gigawatt hours, which equates to around $65 million in bottom-line cost to business. This equates to a cost of about 1c per kilowatt hour of electricity saved, which compares very favourably with the cost of new electricity generation of over 8c per kilowatt hour. What is more, savings made in business become part of the baseline for the years ahead.