After considering the report and recommendations from consultation on the draft New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy pursuant to section 17(2)(c) of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000, the Minister of Energy and Resources gives the following notice:

The Minister of Energy and Resources released the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy 2017-2022 (“Strategy”). It is titled “Unlocking our energy productivity and renewable potential” and is New Zealand’s fourth national Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy. It states the Government’s policies in relation to the promotion of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable sources of energy. Formal submissions contributed to the final Strategy.

The Strategy outlines the objectives, targets and means for the period 2017–2022 that will facilitate energy efficiency improvements and the increased use of renewable energy. The goal of this Strategy is for New Zealand to have an energy productive and low emissions economy with a focus on three priority areas:

1. Renewable and efficient use of process heat;
2. efficient and low-emissions transport; and
3. innovative and efficient use of electricity.

Contributing to this goal are three objectives: one for businesses, one for public sector agencies, and one for individuals, households and community institutions.

The Strategy includes an industrial emissions intensity target, an electric vehicles target, and a renewable electricity generation target. A series of actions are outlined in the Strategy, which are the means for achieving the objectives and targets. The actions range from existing government programmes to new actions, such as the development of a process heat action plan.

The overall direction of the final Strategy remains the same as the draft, subject to some amendments, such as clarifying the link between the goal, targets and actions, and the wider government context, and including the existing renewable electricity target.

The Strategy is consistent with existing Government Policy Statements and National Policy Statements (NPS), including the NPS for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011, currently in force under the Resource Management Act 1991.

A copy of the Strategy can be downloaded from www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/energy/energy-strategies or viewed at the head office of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment at 15 Stout Street, Wellington.

Dated at Wellington this 21st day of June 2017.

Hon JUDITH COLLINS, Minister of Energy and Resources.