The publication of the New Zealand Energy Strategy by acting minister of Energy and Resources has identified a range of resources including waste and bioenergy that could help grow New Zealand’s economy.
According to the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ), at present the country’s bioenergy resources are largely untapped, however with the government’s help the industry has the potential to grow $6 billion (US$5.12 billion) per year - twice what is currently received from petroleum royalties.
“The Bioenergy Strategy is about better utilising a large indigenous resource that is currently being overlooked. In the short term bioenergy can supply cost-effective heat to all users, and can convert industry and council waste streams to valuable fuels,” explains Rob Mallinson chair of the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand.
Mallinson adds that in the medium to long term bioenergy can avoid the need to import a good percentage of the country’s transport fuels, and can offer large export opportunities through liquid and densified fuels to other countries.
However, according to the association, if investment is to come about the country needs stronger and more stable policy. It also needs to ensure that existing initiatives such as the Biodiesel Grants Scheme continue so that the confidence that is growing by biofuel users is consolidated.
BANZ says that the New Zealand Energy Strategy is the basis of such a policy and with the right follow on support can deliver the potential.
According to the association, there are millions of tonnes of forest harvest residues that are currently lying wasted on the forest floor, but which could be collected and converted into wood fuel for industrial heat. Similarly, various waste streams from New Zealand’s extensive primary processing industries can be converted to low cost renewable energy sources.
The association adds that while bioenergy currently makes up 8.5% of the consumer energy used in New Zealand, it could supply more than 25% of the country’s energy needs, including 30% of its transport fuels by 2040.
