Mr Birch lauds energy progress

Press, 27 April 1984, Page 4

Mr Birch lauds energy progress

New Zealand’s remarkable progress in developing its energy resources over the last few years was expected to continue well into the 19905, said the Minister of Energy, Mr Birch, last evening. “For me, the highlight of the Government’s energy policies is that by 1987 we will have lifted our selfsufficiency in all liquid fuels from 10 per cent to 60 per cent in seven years,” he said. “Our Maui and Kapuni gas fields will be earning or saving us $lOOO million of

foreign exchange each year by then as well.” Mr Birch was speaking at an energy forum at Lincoln College, organised by the Selwyn branch of the Young Nationals. He said that with ■ the synthetic petrol plant at Motunui and the expanded refinery at Marsden Point, New Zealand would have virtually eliminated the need to import expensive refined oil products. Oil-based liquid fuels now provide 52 per cent of the total energy consumed in New Zealand.

Mr Birch said that $750 million was scheduled to be spent on the Waikato coalfields over the next 15 years. In the next five years coal production in New Zealand would double to four million tonnes annually, he said. There would also be a smaller but significant increase in the amount of electricity generated by hydro or geotherma’l sources. In contrast the amount of electricity generated by oil and gss over the next 10 years, ‘ would be signifi-

cantly reduced he said. Mr Birch said New Zealand would have a nationwide alternative fuel this year with the opening of the Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin liquefied petroleum gas depots and the arrival of Liquigas’s tanker, the Tarihiko. The possibility of being able soon to extract gas liquids from the natural gas stream could have a followon benefit for the production of petrochemical products which in turn would earn many millions! of dollars in foreign exchange,

he said. Several new developments were also being looked at to augment the aluminium and steel industries. “The initial major energy developments have helped broaden and strengthen our economy. Further developments, not only in the energy field but in tourism, high technology, forestry, horticulture, and our traditional industries will help ensure the future prosperity of New Zealand for generations to come,” Mr Birch said.