90 Per Cent Renewable Electricity Generation by 2025: Is New Zealand's Renewable Energy Policy Sufficient?

Abstract

New Zealand’s current Energy Strategy and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy contain the target to generate 90 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2025. This paper offers an argument for why New Zealand’s current legislative framework to support and promote renewable electricity generation is not sufficient to achieve this target. The paper focuses on electricity generation from wind energy sources. Some background context is provided by giving an overview of the existing legal framework; following which possible issues that could have a bearing on failing the 90 per cent target are assessed. Finally, policy instruments which could make 90 per cent renewable electricity generation achievable by 2025 are examined. It is concluded that although the 90 per cent target is ambitious it is still achievable.