A Green Party call for electricity retailers to be required to provide off-peak rates is unnecessary, says Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee.
The Green Party wants the Government to introduce standards for smart electricity meters, so consumers can get cheaper rates when running appliances at night.
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said most big retailers are owned by state generators, and all have programmes to install smart meters.
Mr Brownlee said many consumers can already access off peak electricity rates.
He said the Government believes that over time, good technology will lead to efficient use of electricity.
'Green New Deal' urged
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman has called on the Government to make other environmentally friendly steps as it tackles the effect of the global recession.
Dr Norman used the party's annual state of the planet address at Henderson in West Auckland on Sunday to call for a 'Green New Deal'.
He said the Government should opt to buy only the most fuel-efficient cars for its fleet, which the party estimates could save $30 million a year.
The axed $1 billion plan to upgrade home insulation during the next 15 years should be reinstated, he said.
Dr Norman wants the Government to match spending on road funding with spending on public transport.
He said New Zealand should follow US President Barack Obama and plan to cut oil consumption by one quarter in the next 10 years, saving the economy $2 billion a year.