Despite a comparatively small population and abundant natural resources, New Zealand is a net importer of energy. Energy importation is in the form of oil products. Approximately 30% of primary energy is from renewable energy sources.[1] New Zealand energy consumption is 4.53 TOE per capital, just less than the OECD average of 4.67.[2] New Zealand is one of 13 OECD countries that does not operate nuclear power stations.
Since 1995, the energy use in New Zealand has decoupled from GDP indicating an increasing efficiency or a shift to economic activity that has a lower dependence on energy supplies.[3]
Contents |
| Oil | Gas | Coal | Geothermal | Hydro | Other renewable | Waste heat | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280.8 | 159.9 | 113.2 | 83.1 | 80.3 | 47.4 | 1.2 | 766.0 |
Total primary energy is indigenous production plus imports less exports and international transport.[1]
Coal is produced from four underground and 21 opencast mines.[4] Over 80% of New Zealand's coal reserves are contained in the Southland lignite deposits. Most of New Zealand's coal production is from Solid Energy, a government owned corporation.
New Zealand oil and gas is produced from 21 petroleum licenses / permits, all of which are in the Taranaki basin.[5] The most important fields are Kapuni, Maui, Pohokura and Kupe.
Exploration for oil and gas reserves includes the Great South Basin and offshore areas near Canterbury and Gisbourne.
Approximately 30% of primary energy is from renewable energy sources.[1] Approximately 67% of electricity generated in New Zealand comes from renewable energy, primarily hydropower and geothermal power. This is expected to increase over the next 20 years, with wind energy making up much of that increase.
| Coal | Oil | Gas | Geothermal | Electricity | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.5 | 255.0 | 38.8 | 9.8 | 138.2 | 36.6 | 503.8 |
Geothermal is direct use only, Other is direct use of renewables such as biogas, wood and solar.[1]
| International Consumption of Energy (calendar Year 2006) |
Oil Products (tonnes per person) |
Gas (m3 per person) |
Electricity (kWh per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| India * | 0.09 | 25 | 390 |
| China * | 0.19 | 33 | 1,295 |
| Russia * | 0.65 | 4,429 | 4,585 |
| UK | 1.25 | 1,372 | 6,424 |
| Germany | 1.38 | 238 | 7,014 |
| France | 1.34 | 19 | 7,599 |
| New Zealand | 1.57 | 1,014 | 10,049 |
| Australia | 1.82 | 1,886 | 12,002 |
| Japan | 1.73 | 26 | 8,111 |
| Chinese Taipei * | 1.52 | 33 | 8,351 |
| Canada | 2.65 | 5,653 | 17,196 |
| USA | 2.83 | 1,734 | 13,584 |
Data from the Ministry of Economic Development[6]
* denotes 2004 calendar year
In terms of energy intensity, New Zealand is just a little lower than the global average.
Electrical energy in New Zealand is mainly derived from renewable energy sources such as from hydropower, geothermal power and increasingly wind energy. The large share of renewable energy sources makes New Zealand one of the most sustainable countries in terms of energy generation. However, electricity demand is also still growing, by an average of 2.2% per year since 1974 and 0.4% over 2004 - 2008.[1]
The Ministry of Economic Development is responsible for economic issues surrounding energy use and the Ministry for the Environment addresses the environmental impact of energy use in New Zealand. Exploration and production of fossil fuels comes under Crown Minerals, a division of the MED.
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   | Ministry for the Environment - Energy [Ministry for the Environment] |
| | Energy Data File Table K.7 - Energy Data File | Publications | Energy Information |
| | Summary Indicator: GDP vs Energy Demand - Summary Indicator | Energy Indicators Graphs | New Zealand Energy Indicators |
| | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority - EECA: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority |
| | Energy Data File - Energy Data File June 2008 | Previous Energy Data File Editions | Energy Data File |
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