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Energy efficiency
New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 defines energy efficiency as “a change to energy use that results in an increase in net benefits per unit of energy”.
Net benefits can include quantitative outcomes (for example, production levels in industry) and qualitative outcomes (for example, comfort, lifestyle and environmental benefits).
The Act mandates the development of an energy efficiency strategy and energy efficiency regulations.
National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy
The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS) was prepared as a requirement of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. As required by the Act, the Strategy is organised around policies, objectives and targets, supported by a set of means (or measures).
The Strategy’s purpose is to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy and move New Zealand towards a sustainable energy future.
The Strategy was released by the Minister of Energy on 27 September 2001 and its aim is:
- to improve New Zealand’s energy efficiency by 20 percent by 2012
- to increase the amount of renewable energy used.
It promotes a move toward a sustainable energy future for New Zealand through energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy.
In March 2006 the government announced its intention to replace the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy in order to lay the foundations for developing a sustainable energy system.
For more information on the NEECS and its replacement visit the EECA website.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)
Regulations introducing mandatory energy performance standards and energy labelling for a range of energy-using products were enacted on 5 February 2002 to promote energy efficiency in New Zealand: Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002.
The Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) regime refers to the setting of minimum energy performance criteria that must be met if a product is to be sold in New Zealand.
The aim is to prevent products that do not meet the minimum standard from coming onto the New Zealand market. The energy performance criteria and testing requirements are set out in national or international standards or handbooks.
The regulations also require certain household appliances to carry an energy label at the point of sale, to assist consumers to make energy efficient choices.
