Estimates of appropriations

Vote Energy - Estimates 2010/2011

MINISTER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROPRIATIONS: Minister for Climate Change Issues (M12), Minister of Energy and Resources (M28)

ADMINISTERING DEPARTMENT: Ministry of Economic Development

MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Minister for Economic Development

Overview of the Vote#

The Minister of Energy and Resources is responsible for appropriations in the Vote for the 2010/11 financial year covering the following:

  • a total of just over $33 million for policy advice on the operation and information disclosure of energy resource markets, management of the Crown mineral estate, administration of the gas, electrical safety and measurement and energy efficiency regimes, implementation of the New Zealand emissions trading scheme and associated emissions unit register, and provision of information on stock and flow levels of the energy and minerals sectors
  • a total of just under $103 million for the Electricity Commission's work in regulating the electricity system, securing reserve energy supplies for New Zealand now and into the future, and promoting electricity efficiency
  • a total of just under $130 million for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's work in promoting energy efficiency, including by providing grants and assistance of just over $100 million for the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme
  • a total of $6 million over the remaining two years of a three year multi-year appropriation to support the acquisition of seismic data from New Zealand's frontier petroleum basins
  • a total of $12 million for grants relating to New Zealand produced biodiesel
  • a total of $21 million over the remaining three years of a five year multi-year appropriation for variable costs relating to maintaining a secure supply of energy for New Zealand subject to the impending sale of the plant; note that in the event of the Whirinaki power station operating, the related costs are normally recovered from the sale of the resulting electricity generated
  • a total of $17 million for the operating, maintenance and depreciation costs relating to the Whirinaki power station, subject to the impending sale of the plant
  • a total of $3 million to manage and fund New Zealand's oil stocks obligations with the International Energy Agency
  • a total of under $1 million for international membership fees and to meet Ministry of Energy residual liabilities, and
  • a total of just under $7 million in the remaining year of a four year multi-year appropriation for the deployment of marine energy devices.

Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-6 for Vote Energy in the Information Supporting the Estimates of Appropriations.

Details of Appropriations#

Details of Annual and Permanent Appropriations

Details of Annual and Permanent Appropriations - Energy
2009/10 2010/11
Titles and Scopes of Appropriations by Appropriation Type Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Departmental Output Expenses

Administration of Gas, Electricity and Energy Efficiency Regulations and related Acts (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the purchase of advice on administration and associated policy work, Ministerial servicing and decision support for the Minister in relation to, and the administration of the regimes for: gas and electricity safety; energy efficiency and conservation; the supply, quality and measurement of gas and electricity; and fuel quality monitoring.
5,364 4,654 5,680

Emissions Trading Implementation (M12)

This appropriation is limited to the implementation and administration of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
3,063 2,510 5,347

Energy and Resource Information Services (M28)

Provision of information and technical advice on energy and resources, the management of the response to any international disruption in oil supplies, and the management of New Zealand's energy-related international relations.
1,121 903 1,157

Energy and Resource Information Services RDA (M28)

Provision of information and technical advice on energy and resources, the management of the response to any international disruption in oil supplies, and the management of New Zealand's energy-related international relations.
1,765 1,392 1,927

Management of the Crown Mineral Estate (M28)

Allocation and management of Crown-owned petroleum, coal and mineral resources under the Crown Minerals Act 1991 and minerals programmes issued under the Act.
9,387 9,233 9,810

Policy Advice on Energy and Resource Issues (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the purchase of policy advice, ministerial servicing, and decision support for the Minister in relation to the operation of energy and resource markets (electricity, oil, gas, geothermal, coal, minerals and related natural resources) and energy efficiency and conservation issues, including Treaty of Waitangi issues in relation to natural resources in particular mineral and energy resources. It also includes purchase of ownership and purchase advice on Crown entities.
7,663 7,663 7,690

Provision of Climate Change Unit Register and Information (M28)

This appropriation is limited to services relating to the operation of a register to enable the allocation and trading of climate change units under the Climate Change Response Act 2002.
1,454 1,443 1,559

Total Departmental Output Expenses

29,817 27,798 33,170

Non-Departmental Output Expenses

Electricity Governance and Market Operations (M28)

Funds the Electricity Commission's major functions as the regulator for the electricity system. It also covers core electricity system and market operation functions, carried out under service provider contracts.
55,099 55,093 59,236

Energy Efficiency and Conservation MCOA (M28)

40,321 40,321 39,024
Electricity Efficiency
This output class is limited to:
- conducting electricity efficiency research, and
- development and administration of programmes that provide incentives for cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation, aimed at changing market behaviours.
11,000 11,000 13,000
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
This output class is limited to operational and policy outputs in accordance with statutory functions under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 and the government's energy strategies.
29,321 29,321 26,024

Maintenance and Operation of Whirinaki (M28)

Largely fixed operating and maintenance costs for Whirinaki power station including the Contact Operating and Maintenance contract, depreciation on the plant and obligations arising under the Reserve Generation Capacity Agreement.
23,000 19,754 17,000

Management of IEA Oil Stocks (M28)

For the cost of managing and funding of oil stocks to meet International Energy Agency obligations.
3,000 2,061 3,000

Reserve Energy and Emergency Measures-Availability Costs (M28)

Funds the cost of having reserve electricity capacity and capability available, including:
1. tendering for reserve energy and emergency options; and
2. ensuring availability of reserve energy capacity.
Does not include cost of supply of reserve energy (fuel) or implementation of emergency measures.
29,981 27,476 29,981

Acquisition of Petroleum Exploration Data - Extension (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the acquisition of seismic data in New Zealand's offshore petroleum basins.
26 26 -

Total Non-Departmental Output Expenses

151,427 144,731 148,241

Non-Departmental Other Expenses

Biodiesel Grants (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the provision of grants to New Zealand biodiesel producers.
300 250 12,000

Electricity Commission Litigation Fund (M28)

Funding to ensure that the Electricity Commission is able to participate in litigation effectively and without delay.
444 - 444

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grants and Assistance (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the Crown's contribution to fund improvements to the energy efficiency of New Zealand businesses and homes and increased use of renewable energy.
37,600 37,600 1,038

International Energy Agency Contribution (M28)

Payment of contributions towards the cost of energy-related research undertaken by the International Energy Agency.
30 26 30

International Energy Agency Subscription (M28)

Payment of annual subscription for membership of the International Energy Agency.
170 161 170

Ministry of Energy Residual Liabilities (M28)

Payment of residual liabilities of the former Ministry of Energy and to meet urgent mine restoration and rehabilitation relating to the operations of the state coal mines prior to 1987.
199 18 199

Asset Impairment Writedown (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the recognition of impairment in the value of Crown owned assets.
38,659 38,659 -

Refund of Energy Resources Levy PLA (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the refund of levies or additional levies under the Energy Resources Levy Act 1976 as authorised by section 20 of that Act.
323 323 -

Total Non-Departmental Other Expenses

77,725 77,037 13,881

Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure

Crown Energy Efficiency (M28)

This capital expenditure appropriation is limited to provision of funding for the Crown loans scheme to assist public sector agencies in implementing energy efficiency projects.
2,000 2,000 2,000

Development of Reserve Electricity Generation Capacity (M28)

This capital expenditure appropriation is limited to the purchase of reserve electricity generation plant.
30 30 -

Total Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure

2,030 2,030 2,000

Total Annual and Permanent Appropriations

260,999 251,596 197,292

Details of Multi-Year Appropriations#

Multi-Year Appropriations - Energy
Type, Title, Scope and Period of Appropriations Appropriations, Adjustments and Use $000

Non-Departmental Output Expenses

Acquisition of Petroleum Exploration Data (M28)

This appropriation is limited to the acquisition of seismic information relating to New Zealand's offshore petroleum basins.

Commences: 1 July 2009

Expires: 30 June 2014

Original Appropriation 20,000
Adjustments for 2008/09 -
Adjustments to 2009/10 -
Adjusted Appropriation 20,000
Actual to 2008/09 Year End -
Estimated Actual for 2009/10 14,019
Estimated Actual for 2010/11 5,981
Estimated Appropriation Remaining -

Generating Reserve Electricity At Whirinaki (M28)

To cover Whirinaki Reserve Energy Plant security of supply costs, excluding those covered by the annual appropriation entitled Maintenance and Operation of Whirinaki. Predominantly expected to cover purchase of fuel against the event that the plant is required to generate reserve electricity.

Commences: 1 July 2007

Expires: 30 June 2012

Original Appropriation 49,045
Adjustments for 2008/09 94,956
Adjustments to 2009/10 -
Adjusted Appropriation 144,001
Actual to 2008/09 Year End 31,165
Estimated Actual for 2009/10 2,247
Estimated Actual for 2010/11 10,000
Estimated Appropriation Remaining 100,589

Reserve Energy and Emergency Measures - Variable (M28)

To cover Electricity Commission costs relating to the: 1. net variable operating costs of the Whirinaki Reserve Energy Plant when used to provide reserve energy, and 2. implementation of emergency measures.

Commences: 1 July 2007

Expires: 30 June 2012

Original Appropriation 5,000
Adjustments for 2008/09 81,000
Adjustments to 2009/10 (83,448)
Adjusted Appropriation 2,552
Actual to 2008/09 Year End (2,565)
Estimated Actual for 2009/10 2,000
Estimated Actual for 2010/11 1,000
Estimated Appropriation Remaining 2,117

Non-Departmental Other Expenses

Contestable Fund for Deployment of Marine Energy Devices (M28)

Contestable fund for marine energy generation and associated administration costs.

Commences: 1 July 2007

Expires: 30 June 2011

Original Appropriation 8,000
Adjustments for 2008/09 (495)
Adjustments to 2009/10 (1,000)
Adjusted Appropriation 6,505
Actual to 2008/09 Year End -
Estimated Actual for 2009/10 114
Estimated Actual for 2010/11 1,885
Estimated Appropriation Remaining 4,506

Warm Up New Zealand (M28)

This appropriation is limited to grants towards insulation and clean heating devices to make New Zealand homes healthier and more energy efficient.

Commences: 1 January 2010

Expires: 30 June 2013

Original Appropriation 244,950
Adjustments for 2008/09 -
Adjustments to 2009/10 -
Adjusted Appropriation 244,950
Actual to 2008/09 Year End -
Estimated Actual for 2009/10 45,758
Estimated Actual for 2010/11 100,650
Estimated Appropriation Remaining 98,542