The nationwide uptake of energy-efficient technology, such as LED lighting and heat pumps, could significantly reduce the cost of meeting New Zealand's ambitious renewable electricity goals, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) said on Thursday.
The EECA has investigated the role of energy efficiency in supporting the government's ambition to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035.
EECA's modeling found that widespread uptake of energy-efficient technology in factories, businesses and homes would mean a lot less new renewable generation would need to be built, to supply New Zealand with very high levels of renewable electricity. This would require less capital investment and reduce national electricity costs, said an agency statement.
The usual mindset is to build more renewable generation, but investment in energy-efficient technology is often overlooked, said EECA's Chief Executive Andrew Caseley.
"Energy-efficient technology is a key solution hiding in plain sight. Mass uptake of these technologies would lead to significant electricity demand reduction and savings in factories, buildings and houses, so they would effectively play the same role as new renewable capacity," Caseley said.
The study showed the savings from system-wide uptake of modern technologies could provide the system with the equivalent of 4,000 GWh of extra capacity before any new renewable generation would be required.
"The other benefit, of course, is that consumers will need to spend less on electricity as a result of that investment," Caseley said.
Editor:Cherie
