Renewable energy comes from a resource that is replenished, such as:
Non-renewable energy comes from fossil fuels, like oil, gas and coal. Once it’s used, it’s gone.
In New Zealand, most of our electricity - 55% - is generated by hydro systems. There is a small but growing amount (2.2%) drawn from wind generation. Both are renewable energy sources.
33% of electricity generation is gas or coal fired. There is also some electricity generated by geothermal activity (7.7%), and a very small amount from biomass and other renewable sources (4%).
Nearly all our transport relies on fossil fuel energy, except for electric trains and buses. Some renewable transport fuels are being phased into use in New Zealand, including E10, a petrol product including 10% ethanol, as well as biodiesel which is a blend of biofuel and diesel. See the working with bioethanol-blended petrol brochure for more details (PDF 1.68MB).
Find out more about generating your own renewable energy on the ENERGYWISETM website.
Fact sheets on the following renewable energy sources are available from EECA:
