The NZGA has made submissions to local and central government on policy relating to geothermal development and energy use in New Zealand.

Recent Submissions

Combined Submission on the Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy, Transitional Measures and New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy

Government has been developing policy frameworks for energy markets and climate change and consulted on a range of documents from late 2006

NZGA reinforced the positive view held on geothermal potential and provided further commentary.

Questionnaire from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on Renewable Energy

The PCE has been developing views on renewable energy and energy efficiency and seeking broad industry feedback.
NZGA has given feedback recognising the need for balance and the ongoing role for thermal generation.

Submission to Reference Group on Electricity Transmission

• A government-led reference group on electricity transmission sought comments on a proposal to introduce a National Policy Statement and National Environmental Standards around electricity transmission (see MED website)
  
• NZGA was supportive of efforts to facilitate transmission development and maintenance. This is motivated by the need for an adequate link between Central North Island resources and the Auckland electricity market

Submission to Inland Revenue on Taxation Treatment of Geothermal Wells

• Inland Revenue, together with other government departments, has been considering possible changes to the taxation of geothermal wells with a view to an improved regime covering exploration wells and removal of anomalous treatment of "black hole" expenditure (see IRD website)
  
• NZGA sought a clear policy, including the need for deductibility of unusable wells. NZGA deferred to its members on whether or not there should be separate taxation regimes for exploration and production.

New Zealand Geothermal Association Position Statement

• The NZGA represents a diverse membership, some of which have differing views. A Position Statement was developed to represent the broad view of membership.
  
• This Position Statement was presented to the Minister of Energy at a meeting in February 2006 to assist him and officials in considering geothermal energy in our future energy mix.
  

All Submissions

NZGA submissions are listed in descending date order in the following table and may all be downloaded.

See Other Documents

• Industry Papers
• Workshop & Seminar Papers