NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO ACTION REQUEST: ENERGY

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000134 SIPDIS EAP/EP FOR LORRAINE HAWLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECIN ECON ENRG APEC NZ SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TO ACTION REQUEST: ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS WITH APEC ECONOMIES REF: SECSTATE 52444 ¶1. (U) In response to reftel action request, Post would like to mention the Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) project. Launched in August 2008, EDIN is a partnership between Iceland, New Zealand and the United States to further the use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies in island nations and territories. These island countries, which are vulnerable to petroleum price volatility and dependence on imported petroleum fuels, often have abundant renewable energy resources such as solar, geothermal, wind and ocean energy resources. In addition to contributing to the energy security of island nations, this effort also has the potential environmental benefits of developing clean energy and addressing global climate change. ¶2. (U) In April 2009, EDIN announced the initial projects selected by each of its respective members: -- The U.S. will assist the U.S. Virgin Islands in the assessment and development of its renewable energy resources; -- Iceland, an island nation with vast experience in utilizing geothermal energy, will assist the Caribbean nation of Dominica in the development of its geothermal potential; and -- New Zealand, also with significant geothermal expertise, will assist 18 Pacific island nations in assessing their potential for geothermal electricity generation. ¶3. (U) U.S. representation in EDIN is conducted through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The DOE point of contact for EDIN is Mary Werner at Mary Werner@nrel.gov. ¶4. (U) For more information concerning EDIN, visit www.edinenergy.org. ¶5. (U) Post would also like to mention the partnership between the USG through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the government of New Zealand (GNZ) in a project to provide wind-generated electricity in support of the NSF McMurdo Station and the neighboring New Zealand Scott Base in Antarctica. For more information contact Kevin Gong in Embassy Wellington at GongK@state.gov. KEEGAN