CNG industry money earner

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 38

CNG industry money earner

PA Wellington The compressed natural gas industry was at a new stage of development which could earn the country a lot of money, according to the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard. New Zealand was now a pioneer in the use of CNG and already overseas people had been attracted to study progress here, he said at the launch of a CNG export catalogue. The 40-page catalogue gives information on manufacturers and distributors of CNG equipment in New Zealand.

Mr Tizard said New Zealand companies were involved in proposed conversion programmes in Bangkok and Mexico City. In Bangkok, at least four New Zealand companies were involved in a pilot scheme aimed at converting the city’s diesel buses to CNG, he said. The trial, funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assistance programme, had now been successfully completed. “The final report has been prepared and the bus authority is considering the conversion of further buses in its fleet of 5000. “So there is a lot of money and potential at stake here.” In addition, said Mr Tizard, New Zealand manufacturers and specialists and the Department of

Trade and Industry were involved in a trial for converting up to 50 buses in Mexico City to CNG. “Again, the stakes are huge — there are 8000 buses in Mexico City and Mexicans are looking to convert 1000 to 2000 of them next year, and the whole fleet in four years.” Mr Tizard said New Zealand firms were also involved in discussions over a pilot CNG programme planned by Malaysia’s national oil company, Petronas.

He said the potential for the industry was great, with exports of CNG technology and expertise to countries such as Canada, Argentina, Italy, Pakistan and the United States already a fact.