New Zealand Energy Data File 2012 released
New Zealand’s renewable share of total primary energy supply increased to 39 per cent in 2011, the highest on record, the Ministry of Economic Development reported today.
New Zealand ranks second in the OECD for the share of renewables towards total primary energy supply.
New Zealand’s total primary energy supply is made up of renewable energy sources, domestically produced gas, domestic and imported coal, and imported oil.
The increase in renewable share was on the back of an increase in renewable electricity generation, which rose to 77 per cent in 2011.
New Zealand exports almost all oil produced here as it is economically beneficial for New Zealand to export our crude oil, and import less expensive foreign oil.
The data was reported in the Ministry of Economic Development’s New Zealand Energy Data File 2012.
The New Zealand Energy Data File provides comprehensive statistics and supporting information on New Zealand’s energy supply, demand and prices. It also includes international comparisons, and oil and gas reserves information.
Reported annual data also shows that oil production declined 14 per cent in 2011, to 17 million barrels. Total remaining oil reserves also declined 11 per cent due to on-going production and a downgrade of ultimate recoverable reserves at the Tui field.
However, the industry invested $1.2 billion in 2011, with 52 oil and gas exploration and development wells drilled in 2011, up from 45 in 2010.
Gas production dropped 10 per cent from 2010, mainly due to a decrease in demand for gas-fired electricity generation.
Total coal production was less than five million tonnes in 2011, down seven per cent from 2010 following a six month shutdown at the Spring Creek mine to make safety improvements.
The Energy Data File 2012 reports on a calendar year basis, and for some data sets as far back as 1970. The 2012 edition contains data until the end of 2011.
More information is available at www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/energy/energy-modelling/publications/energy-data-file.