New Zealand pushing renewables expertise for Asia-Pacific energy future

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges will be promoting New Zealand's expertise in renewable electricity at an international energy gathering in Singapore this week.

Bridges said Tuesday he would be attending the International Energy Week events where discussion would focus on the future of energy supply and ensuring people across the Asia-Pacific region had access to reliable energy.

"For the Asia-Pacific region in particular, which contains many developing nations, this situation raises some big questions. It is important for New Zealand to take part in the debate," Bridges said.

"With more than 80 percent of our electricity coming from renewable sources, it's an ideal opportunity to share our experience with renewable energy and promote our considerable expertise in renewable technologies."

Bridges would take part in panel discussions at the Singapore Energy Summit, the Energy Access Forum, the Asia Clean Energy Summit and the Gas Asia Summit.

"Globally we are seeing low oil, gas and coal prices but at the same time we have to take significant steps to reduce our carbon emissions if we are to manage the impacts of climate change," Bridges said.

The global event brings together 28,000 representatives of the energy industry, governments and non-government organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region and from around the world. Endit