Today’s decision by the government to protect power supply to remote rural areas beyond 2013 endorses small scale alternative electricity generation as one answer for rural households, Sustainable Electricity Association New Zealand (SEANZ) said today.

“This is a great day for those who believe small scale, renewable electricity options can play a real part in meeting our energy challenges and help protect our environment,” SEANZ CEO Charmaine Watts said today.

Energy Minister David Parker today announced that the obligation of electricity companies to supply power to remote rural areas will no longer expire in 2013. The obligation to supply beyond 2013 will be able to be met by using either lines or using electricity supplied by alternative local generation, where local consumers agree (media release).

“This means electricity companies will be encouraged to promote alternative options so they can avoid supplying power on existing lines which may be uneconomic. In other words, it will be in their interests to consider what the most economic way to meet their obligations is.

SEANZ promotes such solutions. Generating renewable electricity where it is consumed is known as small scale renewable/distributed generation. It is fast becoming a more viable option for households, not just larger consumers.

The technology involves small power sources located within or close to homes and businesses:

• Photovoltaic solar power – converting the sun’s energy into electricity through
  special solar cells. 50m² of cells are enough to power the average NZ home.
• Small scale wind power – turbines generating up to 100 kW, which is enough to
  power the average home, business or farm.
• Small scale hydro power – turbines generating up to 1 MW.

“The government’s decision is a smart one. We need to encourage alternative power sources if we are to generate enough power in an environmentally sustainable way.

“Increasing adoption will also help meet the government’s target of generating 90% of our electricity from renewables by 2025.

“Consumers need to have confidence that small scale, renewable technologies will be right for them. That’s why our association was formed. Our accreditation system aims to ensure these technologies are designed and installed by competent and qualified people.

“Our accreditation programme is well underway and will be completed in 2009.

“Much more could be done by the government to encourage greater uptake as has happened in other countries such as Germany, Japan and the United States.

“But I congratulate Minister Parker on recognising that there are real alternatives and consumers in rural areas should be confident that there is a cost effective, reliable and environmentally friendly solution for them,” said Ms Watts.