New Zealand continues to score well in an international survey of energy outcomes, but cannot afford to rest on its laurels, says the BusinessNZ Energy Council.
The World Energy Council’s Energy Sustainability Index ranks countries on how well they achieve the energy ‘trilemma’ balance of security, equity and sustainability.
In this year’s index, the top ten ranked countries are Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, UK, Denmark, Canada, Austria, Finland, France, and New Zealand. Last year, New Zealand was ranked eighth out of 129 countries, with an overall balanced rating of AAB.
Dr Rob Whitney, Chair of the BusinessNZ Energy Council, the World Energy Council’s New Zealand member committee, says “New Zealand’s top ten position continues to demonstrate New Zealand’s consistent approach to the pursuit of balanced energy policies.
“But the challenge has been set,” says Dr Whitney. “In order to avoid the prospect of policy interventions that will deliver unbalanced policy outcomes, the energy industry and government, individually and collectively, now need to step up and play a part to ensure that New Zealand’s energy outcomes remain balanced.
“Unbalanced energy outcomes set the scene for political and commercial risk. Low Fixed Charge Tariff regulations and other proposed dramatic market interventions are examples of this.
“Our 2014 Energy Briefing offers up a range of solutions – such as greater price transparency and continued pro-competitive improvements – that if implemented can continue to deliver a secure, competitive and environmentally sustainable energy sector.”
Contact Dr Rob Whitney 027 292 1050 or John Carnegie 021 375 061
Further information:
What does “AAB” mean?
Countries are awarded a ‘balance score’ that highlights how well they manage the trade-offs between the three energy sustainability dimensions and identifies top performing countries with an ‘AAA’ score.
About the World Energy Council (WEC)
The World Energy Council’s network of 100 national committees represents over 3,000 member organisations including governments, industry and expert institutions, with the mission of promoting the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all. www.worldenergy.org
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