Te Uku's contribution to government policies and objectives
The government is committed to a sustainable energy system. New Zealand needs to respond to climate change and reduce carbon emissions from our energy production and use. We also need to ensure our energy systems can deliver secure, clean energy at affordable prices to support economic development.
In the past six years, the government has introduced a number of specific energy and energy-related policies and strategies that contribute to a more sustainable energy system. They include:
- the Sustainable Development Programme of Action in 2003, which sets out principles for sustainable development policy and decision-making. Energy is one of four action areas identified in the programme;
- the Government Policy Statement on Electricity Governance1, which outlines the overall objective for the electricity industry of ensuring that electricity is produced and delivered to all classes of consumer in an efficient, fair, reliable and environmentally sustainable manner and promoting and facilitating the efficient end use of electricity;
- the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS)2 in 2001 (addressed in more detail below);
- amendments to section 7 of the RMA, addressed in more detail below;
- the establishment of the Electricity Commission in 2003; and
- the commissioning of a 155 MW generation plant in Hawke's Bay to provide some of the necessary reserve energy.
More recently, the government released its draft New Zealand Energy Strategy, and a replacement to the NEECS: the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy. These two documents set out the government's objectives and policies for moving towards a sustainable energy future.
Back to Top