Fuel trend confirmed

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 5

Fuel trend confirmed

PA Wellington The move by New Zealanders to alternative fuels is confirmed in a new report, says the Minister of Energy. Mr Birch. The Ministry of Energy report is entitled "1981 Annual Building Energy Use Survey for the Wellington Central Business District." The main trend revealed in the report is the steady substitution of oil by other fuels over the years 1977 to 1980. Fifty-five per cent of the

oil consumption in 1977 had been substituted by 1980. Another finding was that a relatively small number of buildings used most of the energy, said Mr Birch. In 1977, 20 per cent of the gas-using buildings used 90 per cent of the gas; 20 per cent of the buildings using electricity used 79 per cent of all the electricity; and 20 per cent of the oil-using buildings used 62 per cent of all the oil. Energy conservation measures in those big build-

ings had a large effect on the total energy use in the Wellington business area, he said. "Those buildings that were still using oil for heating reduced their consumption when oil restrictions were in place." said Mr -Birch. In 1979. the 12 biggest oil consumers achieved a reduction of 40 per cent in their consumption. Total consumption for the area dropped 24 per cent.