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Library >> Renewable Energy Resource Maps >> Oceania Renewable Energy Resources in OCEANIABioenergy | Geothermal | Hydropower | Ocean | Solar | Wind
Australia is one of the few developed countries that can boast an abundance of wind, sun, water and land. The southern-most region of Australia is buffeted by the 40-50ºS wind zone, known as the 'Roaring Forties'. The westerly winds are strong and steady. Australia also rests in the most favourable solar radiation belt - between latitudes 15º and 35ºS. Within this belt, an average of 3000 hours of sunshine per year can be relied on as an endless source of energy. (1) Hydro systems, New Zealand's
largest renewable energy source, generate around 60-70%
of the country's electricity and is available on an
ongoing basis. New Zealand's unigue geographic characteristics
allow a number of renewable energy sources to be utilised
- including hydro, geothermal, wind, biogas and
solar. Geothermal energy production is the
third largest renewable energy source, after hydroelectricity
and biomass (5% of main energy supply). New
Zealand’s renewable energy target is a supply 22 per
cent by 2012. (2) The Pacific Island Countries are currently heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with petroleum products accounting for an estimated 80 percent of its primary commercial energy consumption. Electricity is mainly supplied through diesel-fired power generation units. Renewable Energy, mostly hydro, is estimated to contribute less than 10 percent of each PIC’s commercial energy use. (3) (1) http://www.deh.gov.au/commitments/wssd/publications/harnessing.html
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