Plan for gas in re-build, says energy lobby group

Plan for gas in re-build, says energy lobby group

An energy lobby group is urging the designers and builders of the Christchurch-of-the-future to think carefully about what energy resources will be used to power the re-built city.

Gas New Zealand (GNZ) says the re-build of Christchurch is a perfect opportunity to make greater use of gas as a direct energy source, instead of relying so heavily on electricity.

“Gas is a strategic energy asset for New Zealand. Using it instead of electricity for water and space heating, and cooking, in homes and small businesses has many advantages, both for consumers and for the country as a whole,” said GNZ spokesperson, Ray Ferner.

Mr Ferner said Christchurch already uses reticulated LPG in some parts of the city, and LPG in cylinders is available to all residents. The re-build is a chance to expand that use throughout the region and to displace what is a sizeable electricity demand.

“Using gas directly can reduce CO2 emissions when compared to other energy sources, it’s energy efficient and it reduces local air quality impacts and particulate emissions which can cause adverse public health impacts,” Mr Ferner said.

“Nor do gas appliances need the kind of chimneys that were so prevalent in Canterbury, and which collapsed in the quakes, and this will be a very welcome design feature given what happened to many homes in the region.”

He said the LPG supply network in Christchurch also survived the two earthquakes relatively intact, ensuring some degree of energy security, which is another reason to ensure its use in the re-build.

Because gas and LPG can be used to displace electricity it can help to alleviate the need to build new electricity generation plants, and it can reduce the load on the national electricity grid.

“Many European countries rely heavily on direct use of gas for space and water heating and cooking. We don’t have that tradition in New Zealand, having used gas predominantly as a feedstock to generate electricity.

“But, there is certainly no reason why we can’t expand our use of gas as an end-use energy source in the residential and small business sector.

“It’s a strategic energy asset, we have plenty of it and we need to consider carefully how we factor its use into the energy policy mix.

“The Christchurch re-build is a good place to think carefully about how we can use this asset to maximum advantage, for the country and consumers” Mr Ferner said.

The consumer benefits of gas and LPG include continuous hot water for showers, total control for cooking and powerful and efficient space heating appliances.

ENDS

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