New Zealand is quietly becoming an alternative energy powerhouse. Industrial Info, a provider of global industrial market intelligence, currently tracks 25 local renewable energy projects in the planning and engineering phase that are scheduled to begin construction from 2012 onward. The projects total more than US$4.87 billion in investment value and indicate that New Zealand is predominately investing in wind, geothermal and hydro generation projects.
The government announced today that the proportion of renewable energy sources in New Zealand has rose to 77 percent from 74 percent in 2010. The country has set itself a goal of 90 percent of alternative energy by 2025.
Wind power now accounts for 4.5 percent of the total while geothermal energy has increased its contribution to 13.4 percent.
Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley said alternative energy is key to the country’s sustainable development plans and has helped the country to decrease emissions from electricity by five percent.
New Zealand has a population of just under 4.5 million people, according to 2011 statistics.
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.
