New RMA Amendment To Speed Up Consenting Of Much-Needed New Generation
The new Act amends the RMA to open up a consenting pathway for specified energy activities, which is intended to reduce costs for operators and unlock much-needed investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Energy Resources Aotearoa is pleased the Act adopts its key recommendation to extend the same streamlined settings to thermal electricity generation.
Projects such as gas-fired peaking plants - essential for meeting demand when wind generation is low, hydro storage is depleted, and solar output is unavailable - will now benefit from faster consenting, with decisions required within 12 months.
Chief Executive of Energy Resources Aotearoa, John Carnegie, says this change is a big win for the energy sector and New Zealand households and businesses.
"Renewables will power more and more of New Zealand's future energy needs, but we need firming capacity to step in when the weather doesn't co-operate. This decision means we can plan and build the backup generation that keeps the grid stable and the country's economy and industrial base humming."
Carnegie says that in adopting this change, the Government has agreed with Energy Resources Aotearoa's call for a broader, fuel-agnostic consenting framework that includes all activities improving New Zealand's energy security.
"We've long argued for a fuel-agnostic approach where projects are judged on their merits, not their fuel or technology type. Parliament has recognised that reality today, and it's a vital step toward a more secure system that provides the energy abundance New Zealand needs to thrive."
Energy Resources Aotearoa commends the Government for taking a whole-of-system approach to resource management reform that recognises the interdependence of renewable and thermal generation in maintaining a secure and reliable electricity supply for New Zealand's future.
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Otago Daily Times
30 minutes ago
- Otago Daily Times
Amend away, amend away
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Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
Eye-Watering Break Fee For Botched Ferries
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1News
10 hours ago
- 1News
How much it cost to cancel iRex ferry contract: $671 million
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"I am pleased that a more pragmatic solution is now in place that will ensure a safe, reliable Cook Strait service at an affordable price." The Government set up a company, Ferry Holdings Ltd, to lead the procurement process of two new ferries by 2029. It is currently in talks with several shipyards to find a preferred build partner for the new ships. The new ferries will be approximately 200m long and 28m wide, with capacity for 1500 passengers and 2.4km of lanes for cars, trucks, and 40 rail wagons each. ADVERTISEMENT The final sailing for the Aratere, which is leaving service to allow for work on port infrastructure upgrades, is on Monday. Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere. (Source: 1News) Cancellation of iReX 'terrible decision-making' - Labour Labour's transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said the cancellation of the previous contract for the Interislander ferries was "terrible-decision-making" by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. "The $144 million break fee is on top of money already paid to Hyundai, which takes the amount of taxpayer money National has poured down the drain to $222 million. The rest is project management, landside infrastructure and paying to wind down the project – totalling more than half a billion." He accused the Prime Minister and Willis of having "absolutely no clue what they're doing and "just making things worse". "The amount of taxpayer money they've wasted with absolutely nothing to show for it makes a mockery of every time they've said they can't afford something. People are struggling with the cost of living while Nicola Willis and Christopher Luxon's economic decisions run aground and sink." ADVERTISEMENT Green Party co-leader transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said the exit from the Hyundai ferry contract showed "wastefulness and short-term thinking" by the coalition Government. 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