Energy Data File highlights rich lignite resources

Posted in: Media Releases: Monday, 06 July 2009

Media Release

Energy Data File highlights rich lignite resources

Straterra, the industry group representing New Zealand’s natural resources industries, says release of the 2009 edition of The New Zealand Energy Data File highlights the huge – and largely untapped – economical potential of the country’s natural resources.

The File, released by Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee, is produced annually by the Ministry of Economic Development. It provides comprehensive statistics and supporting information on New Zealand’s energy supply, demand and prices.

“As is well documented, and again highlighted in the Energy Data File, lignite is New Zealand’s largest fossil fuel energy resource,” said Straterra Chief Executive Richard Michael. “Demand domestically and internationally is increasing – underlining that this resource offers huge economical potential to New Zealand.”

The Energy Data File says New Zealand’s main lignite deposits are well known “with technically and economically recoverable quantities in the 10 largest deposits established at over 6 billion tonnes”.

“The total value of New Zealand’s lignite deposits depends on how they are assumed to be monetised, but even their lowest end value – used as a direct fuel for heat generation is estimated at $300-500 billion,” said Mr Michael.

“Extracted at a rate of 20 million tonnes per year, lignite resources could provide energy and feedstock for most of New Zealand’s transport fuel and petrochemical requirements for at least 500 years.”

He said Solid Energy already has significant research underway into using lignite to manufacture diesel and has also been assessing options for upgrading Southland lignite for use as a convenient, cleaner solid fuel.

“There are no significant challenges to ensuring that lignite can be used in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, and the potential is vast.”