Households continue to drive energy demand

Environment: Energy and the Economy: 1997–2005  –  Media Release

In 2005, households accounted for nearly 32 percent of New Zealand’s total energy demand, according to a report released today by Statistics New Zealand. According to the report Energy and the Economy: 1997–2005, this makes them the largest consumer of energy. Most of the energy used by households during this period was in the form of petrol for private motor vehicles (57 percent). The second-largest energy consumer was the transport and storage industry, which accounted for nearly 25 percent of total energy demand.

The report Energy and the Economy: 1997–2005 reviews the energy used by households, government and industry for the period 1997 to 2005 and the links to economic activity.

From 1997 to 2005, New Zealand’s total energy demand increased by nearly 22 percent, while economic activity, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), increased by 28 percent. These results suggest that the growth of New Zealand’s economy is becoming less reliant on energy use. However, the results also showed that New Zealand is still dependant on non-renewable energy sources (such as coal and petroleum) which make up 82 percent of total energy demand.

The report Energy and the Economy: 1997–2005 and associated tables are available on the Statistics New Zealand website (www.stats.govt.nz). This report is part of an environmental series measuring the reliance of our economy on natural resources.

For media enquiries contact:
Jane Harkness
Wellington 04 931 4600
Email: environment@stats.govt.nz