(Section 28 of the RPS)
Northland obtains most of its energy for human activity from outside the region. The major energy sources used are petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity. Energy sources currently obtained from within the region include a small scale hydroelectric plant, the Ngawha geothermal field and firewood. Potential energy sources within the region include coal, which has been mined in the past, renewable sources such as 'energy' crops, solar, wind and tide. There is also potential for further hydroelectric developments.
Northland has nationally important energy related industries comprising the Marsden Point Oil Refinery and Marsden A and B Thermal Power Stations. Marsden B Station was not commissioned and has now been sold to the Chinese and is being dismantled. An evaluation of the future options for Marsden A is currently being undertaken.
Motorised transport is a major energy user, as are the industrial/commercial and residential sectors. The current trend in Northland, as for the rest of the country, is a continuing rise in energy use. Unless there is some significant development and use of the region's energy resources, more will have to be imported.
Energy is included in the definition of natural and physical resources in the Act, and local authorities can address related efficiency measures under the sustainable management and efficient use principles in the legislation. The NRC and district council efforts in this area are expected to be of a largely supporting nature, using advocacy and associated educative measures. One particular area where the district councils have an important role to play is in the efficient use of energy in buildings. Under the Building Act 1991 they are required to facilitate efficient energy use in new buildings, taking into account their intended life.
Both the NRC and district councils are expected to influence the supply and use of energy in the region through their respective air, land and water management functions.
Where appropriate, policy direction is given in this statement. Reference should be made to the sections of natural hazards, waste management and transport.
Anticipated Outcomes
· Increased use of environmentally acceptable, sustainable energy resources.
· Enhanced extent to which the adverse effects on the environment of Northland of energy generation, distribution and use are avoided remedied or mitigated.
Policy Mix
The objectives for the energy section are:
· recognition of the energy production potential of Northland's natural resources;
· prohibition of the use of nuclear energy sources for energy production purposes;
· promoting the efficient and environmentally acceptable use of energy.
The policy approach for energy production, transmission and distribution (Policy 28.4 (a)) is to encourage the use of environmentally acceptable sustainable energy resources and alternatives to non-renewable sources. The policy approach for energy efficiency (Policy 28.4 (b)) is to promote and encourage its consideration through a variety of measures targeted at the sectors that have legislative responsibilities in relation to energy efficiency.
The energy section contains ten individual methods of implementation that flow from the policy direction discussed above.
What's the current state?
Almost all electricity supply to Northland enters from the south through Transpower's Otahuhu substation and is carried north by high voltage overhead transmission lines passing through Mangere, Mt Roskill and Henderson districts, and linking to Albany and the north.
Northland currently has two generation plants, Ngawha Geothermal generating 15MW (it has consent to expand to 25MW) and the Wairua Hydro plant which generates 11MW. Northland has several further proposals for wind generation and tidal generation but these have not been committed to yet.
Northland is currently able to generate only 5% of its energy demands and therefore gets the majority of its electricity supply from the National Grid (electricity which is generated in the southern parts of the North Island and the South Island). Northland is very reliant on a secure supply of electricity being maintained through Auckland city.
The NRC has put considerable effort into supporting Transpower's application to upgrade the North Auckland and Northland Grid and this has successfully over turned the Electricity Commissions initial decision to decline the upgrade proposal.
The NRC has also actively supported (through the submission process) proposals to upgrade the National Grid in Northland such as the Maungatapere substation upgrade.
New Zealand's only oil refinery is located at Marsden Point in the Whangarei Harbour. The refinery plays a vital role in the region's economy.
What has worked well in this section?
Renewable energy generation for processing plants is provided for within the Regional Air Quality Plan. The development of co-generation for processing plants is promoted and being considered within Northland.
What has not worked in this section?
Energy efficiency should be integrated into planning decisions rather just ‘considered', unless Northland can develop and use energy efficient technology and processes the region will continue rely on the fragile National Grid as well as contribute to the country's rising energy demands. Transport is the fastest growing consumer of energy and the consideration and promotion of efficient modes of transportation is not well covered by this section.
Northland does not currently co-ordinate any monitoring information on the current state of the electricity network; particularly in regard to the frequency and duration of electricity cuts and the general state and capacity of the network.
General comments on this section:
This section was not well known amongst the representatives involved in the review process. This highlights the need to actively promote awareness and knowledge of the RPS.
The limitations of the National Grid for electricity supply are a serious concern for Northland. Our network is limited in its capacity and therefore its ability to carry power from new generation plants (such as a wind farm). The link through Auckland to Northland is fragile at best.
However the ability to address this has been difficult given the current scope of the RPS. It is anticipated that the 2nd Generation RPS will take a broader role and consider the effects of secure electricity supply on the environment and the economy.
There is potential for conflict between competing sections within the RPS. An example of this is the development of a hydro power scheme, which is encouraged though this section but in conflict with some of the water quantity and flows section.
Is this section Efficient and Effective?
There is very little energy production within Northland. Northland is dependent on a fragile network for its electricity supply and is constrained from expanding its own limited generation capacity due to the networks poor state within the region.
The promotion of environmentally sustainable alternatives to current practices needs to be undertaken. There is currently very little promotion of energy efficient homes, alternatives modes of transport or alternative sources of energy. The Energy section is generally well written but it needs further implementation and promotion in order to make it effective.
Emerging Issues for this section?
The creation of energy efficient homes needs to be promoted – particularly in relation to the long term cost savings.
The stability of supply is a significant issue for the Northland region. Voltage instability has serious implications for Northland's major industries such as the New Zealand Refinery and Golden Bay Cement.
The RPS should be encouraging the development of alternative power solutions so that Northland does not rely solely on the national grid. This includes new technologies such as utilising waste for energy, bio-diesel and energy production from sewage treatment plants. It has been suggested that nuclear energy could be reconsidered in light of the Kyoto Protocol.
A study into renewable energy generation by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA 2006) identified the following types of potential renewable energy within the Northland region:
· mini, small & medium scale hydropower.
· wind power.
· Ethanol (derived from low-grade forestry).
· wave and tidal energy.
· significant potential for solar thermal (hot water) systems and passive solar use in buildings.
This section of the RPS should actively encourage the use and uptake of renewable energy within Northland.
Under Part 2 of the RMA, when preparing the 2nd Generation RPS, the NRC needs to have particular regard to the efficiency of the end use of energy and the benefits to be derived from the use and development of renewable energy (Section 7(ba) and (j)).
Conclusions
The existing energy section in the RPS is outdated and the section in the 2nd Generation RPS will need to take into account the implications of the Resource Management (Energy and Climate Change) Amendment Act 2004. There is a real need to improve Northland's security of supply, which should be done by actively promoting renewable energy and recognising potential future renewable energy technologies and making high level policy provision for such technologies.