The stationary energy sector has been required to report its emissions since 1 January 2010. Participants are required to record their activity in the above fields and submit this information as part of their annual emissions return.

Participants may also be required to supply information about the composition of the energy imported, mined or used, so that an emissions factor can be allocated to it. This factor is multiplied by the volume of energy to give a total emissions figure. Once an emissions return has been completed, stationary energy participants are required to surrender emissions units corresponding to the amount of emissions reported to the ETS.

More information on how to submit an emissions return can be found in our Emissions Returns page.

Information on submitting an Emissions Return

The energy sector does not receive an allocation of NZUs because it is not trade exposed. Also because it is able to pass the costs of its ETS obligations on to its customers.

The  ETS applies only to emissions generated in New Zealand. Therefore it does not ap​ply to emissions produced in another country by coal exported from New Zealand. This is consistent with our obligations under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, where the country importing and using New Zealand coal, for example Japan, is responsible for the emissions. On the other hand, the ETS makes New Zealand companies responsible for emissions from imported coal.

Micro-generation from a renewable source such as hydro is not subject to the ETS because it​ does not result in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the price of emissions is reflected in the cost of micro-generation from coal, gas and geothermal energy.