18. Energy Volume One As demand for energy changes, it is possible that further energy generation developments will occur within Marlborough. The effects of these developments, as well as energy conservation and the efficient use of energy, are important issues that must be addressed. Issue 18A – Marlborough requires a secure and efficient supply of energy. The majority of Marlborough’s energy sources are imported into the District. The fossil fuels that sustain our transport needs and some of our commercial and industrial needs are brought into Marlborough by truck. Similarly, the majority of electricity demand is satisfied from the national grid, which runs through Marlborough. Any disruption in supply caused by a fuel or electricity shortage or problems with the infrastructure required to deliver the fuel or electricity is a significant issue given the reliance on these out-of- district energy sources. Supply disruptions have the potential to increase in the future due to increased volatility in international oil markets and fluctuations in electricity generation capacity (especially hydro generation in dry years). Having resilient and diverse means of energy generation and transmission in Marlborough will be important in this regard. Irrespective of their non-renewable character and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, it is likely that people and communities will continue to rely on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future for their transportation needs. For this reason, it is likely that Marlborough will remain vulnerable to supply disruptions for the life of the MEP. In contrast, there is the ability to reduce dependence on imported electricity. This can be achieved by making use of the energy sources that exist within Marlborough. Reducing the demand for electricity through conservation efforts and making better use of electricity through efficiency gains will also assist in this regard. [RPS, R, C, D] Objective 18.1 – Optimise the use of Marlborough’s energy resources. Marlborough contains significant and diverse energy resources. These resources are almost exclusively renewable in nature and include hydro, wind, wave, tidal, photovoltaic, passive solar and biomass. Only a small proportion of these renewable energy resources are currently utilised. Accessing local sources of energy at all scales would directly benefit Marlborough’s communities by reducing our current vulnerability to supply disruptions. The greater the diversity of energy resources utilised, the more resilient the supply of energy will be. Generation schemes located close to where electricity is used would be most efficient, as less electricity would be lost in transmission compared to that experienced when electricity has to travel from a more distant generation source. Realising the potential to generate electricity from some of these sources is readily available now, but others will require technological advances. As this happens and the balance of energy costs shift, there will be increasingly affordable opportunities for the generation of electricity. This type of energy generation will provide alternatives for remote communities and properties and it is anticipated that these will become increasingly viable in urban and industrial areas as well. [RPS, R, C, D] Policy 18.1.1 – Promote and encourage the use and development of renewable energy resources. Local sources of renewable energy should be developed to maintain and enhance a secure supply of electricity for Marlborough. This policy expresses a clear preference for the use and development of renewable sources of energy, as opposed to non-renewable sources. Renewable sources of energy ensure that electricity can be sourced on an ongoing basis, improving the 18 – 2