Jun. 15--AUCKLAND -- While Thailand sees nuclear energy in its future, New Zealand, a country with abundant and varied resources, rules out such an option.

"We have more than enough renewable energy to meet our future electricity requirements. We don't have the need for nuclear energy," said Mike Underhill, chief executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

As the world faces challenging energy issues -- be it from climate change or the growing scarcity of finite energy sources -- New Zealand is tapping more renewable energy sources to help shore up its hydroelectricity-based system, which is susceptible to risk in dry years and to low water storage.

New Zealand has regular dry years, for example in 2003, 2006 and 2008. "If we get eight weeks of no water, we get no electricity. This is a challenge," Mr Underhill said.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development, 52.8 percent of New Zealand's electricity comes from hydropower, followed by 23.9 percent gas, 10.6 percent coal, 9.5 percent geothermal, 2.5 percent wind and 0.8 percent wood.

Industry consumes 44 percent of the supply, with residential and commercial consumption 33 percent and 23 percent respectively.

"We're trying to achieve an electricity system that is secure, affordable and environmentally responsible," he said.

New Zealand has set a target that by 2025, 90 percent of its electricity would come from renewable resources, up from the current 65-75 percent. Other potential resources include thermal, wind, marine, solar and biomass.

Wind power currently creates nearly 3 percent of New Zealand's electricity and has the potential to rise to 20 percent.

Although wind power can be intermittent, it is still a predictable resource over time, Mr Underhill said.

As the country has a vast area of volcanoes, geothermal energy currently provides more than 600 megawatts with the potential for another 1,000 MW.

New Zealand has 19,000 kilometres of coastline that also has huge potential for marine energy if developed properly.

But Mr Underhill believes solar energy could be the country's most effective renewable resource. About 1.6 percent of New Zealand homeowners have solar water-heating systems, with around 3,400 new ones being installed each year.

Although solar power is expensive, improved technology would bring prices down, he said.

The country's biomass sector produces 13,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) a year. A further 15,000 GWh a year are possible. With the potential to power 30,000 homes a year, biogas is generated from farm waste, sewage plants or landfill sites.

But even renewable energy comes with social and environmental impacts to be considered. For example, a hydropower plant might affect nearby community activities, such as irrigation and fishing. As a result, says Mr Underhill, getting public acceptance and support is important.

As the country relies on its green image for tourism and exports, which account for 65 percent of GDP, Mr Underhill said development of renewable energy is good for international image-building.

"Branding New Zealand as a non-nuclear, and hopefully, a non-fossil fuel country would benefit us as a point of differentiation in the global market," he said.

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