Our history shows that change doesn’t happen overnight.
Pre 1900
Personal and horse/bullock energy transitioning to mechanical transport
Wind for marine transport transitioning to coal
Wood/coal for industrial and domestic use
Water energy (logging, gold sluicing) transitions to electricity generation/road transport
1900 - 1940
Transmission and distribution infrastructure links communities and creates a nation
Greater control of natural resources/infrastructure by central government
Increasing hydroelectricity generation supported by coal generation
Transmission capacity improvement increases size of hydro-generating stations
Electric trams introduced/establishment of road and rail networks/use of airplanes for transport
1940 - 1983 Increased demand for electricity (cooking/water heating/electric motors) and transport fuels (Marsden Point refinery built) • Decreasing hydro availability drives planning towards coal, gas and geothermal energy • Creation of Ministry of Energy Resources • Linking electricity supply network with construction of Cook Strait cables • Discovery of Kapuni and Maui gas fields • Nuclear energy investigated – Royal Commission declares it not required • New hydro opposed by environmental/agricultural interests • 1970’s “international energy crisis” encourages energy diversification (CNG, LPG) • Central energy research extends to synthetic petrol from gas/lignite • Major industry and infrastructure using Maui gas develop
1984 - 2005 Deregulation of energy sector/corporatisation of government departments with greater focus on encouragement for competition and targeted funding initiatives (EECA) • Increased investment in gas-fired electricity generation • New renewables (wind/solar water heating/photo-voltaics/biofuels) in early development • Increasing bio-energy for heat production and co-generation • Sustainable development leading to climate change concern – New Zealand ratifies Kyoto Protocol • Cheap Maui gas declines heightening concerns for gas supply • Electricity supply concerns grow
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