Latest news with #SimonWatts
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Extra Hydro Generation Secured To Support Energy Security
Press Release – New Zealand Government The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. Minister for Energy The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau and Meridian Energy have agreed on changes to the Operating Guidelines for how the lake levels are managed, that will boost New Zealand's hydro generation and energy security, Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced. 'These changes will deliver an extra 45 GWh of energy from the Manapōuri Power Scheme each year that's enough energy to power around 6,000 homes. It is an important step in the Government and the sector's work to protect the security of our energy supply for the future,' Mr Watts says. 'Last Winter, New Zealand faced an energy shortage that led to significant price increases for consumers, in part due to low hydro lake levels. This Government will not accept a repeat of last winter and is working at pace to ensure we have a reliable and affordable energy supply. 'Lake Manapōuri and Lake Te Anau are not only environmentally and culturally significant, but they are also essential to New Zealand's energy system. However, in recent years the lower operating ranges of these lakes have been underutilised, impacting our energy supply and risking the health of plant life along their shorelines. 'The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. The changes balance the needs of our country's electricity system with the environmental impact on the lakes and their surrounding areas. 'I am pleased to have enacted the Guardians and Meridian's recommendations by amending the relevant legislation and publishing in the New Zealand gazette. 'I acknowledge the expertise of the Guardians, who are responsible for advising on environmental, ecological and social effects of the power station on the lakes, and Meridian, as operator of the Manapōuri power station. 'I thank them for working together to recommend a path forward that better protects the existing patterns, ecological stability and recreational values of the lakes, while optimising hydro generation.' Notes: Changes to the operating guidelines include changing the drawdown rates, reducing duration requirements, and removing equinoctial requirements. In more detail: o Changing the drawdown rates – the rates at which hydro generation can reduce the levels of the lakes – when they are in their 'Low Operating Ranges', enabling Meridian to generate more flexibly at the lower ranges. o Removing the duration requirements on the how long the Lakes can stay within the first band of Low Operating Ranges, enabling Meridian to continue generating more often when hydro levels reach these stages. o Removing equinoctial requirements, which set additional limits on how hydro generation could affect the Lakes twice a year during windier periods. Minister Watts has given effect to these changes under section 4A of the Manapōuri-Te Anau Development Act 1963. The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau are a statutory advisory board appointed by the Minister for Conservation. Of the eight Guardians, at least one is nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tau to represent iwi interests as part of the Crown's Treaty settlement with the iwi.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Extra Hydro Generation Secured To Support Energy Security
Press Release – New Zealand Government The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. Minister for Energy The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau and Meridian Energy have agreed on changes to the Operating Guidelines for how the lake levels are managed, that will boost New Zealand's hydro generation and energy security, Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced. 'These changes will deliver an extra 45 GWh of energy from the Manapōuri Power Scheme each year that's enough energy to power around 6,000 homes. It is an important step in the Government and the sector's work to protect the security of our energy supply for the future,' Mr Watts says. 'Last Winter, New Zealand faced an energy shortage that led to significant price increases for consumers, in part due to low hydro lake levels. This Government will not accept a repeat of last winter and is working at pace to ensure we have a reliable and affordable energy supply. 'Lake Manapōuri and Lake Te Anau are not only environmentally and culturally significant, but they are also essential to New Zealand's energy system. However, in recent years the lower operating ranges of these lakes have been underutilised, impacting our energy supply and risking the health of plant life along their shorelines. 'The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. The changes balance the needs of our country's electricity system with the environmental impact on the lakes and their surrounding areas. 'I am pleased to have enacted the Guardians and Meridian's recommendations by amending the relevant legislation and publishing in the New Zealand gazette. 'I acknowledge the expertise of the Guardians, who are responsible for advising on environmental, ecological and social effects of the power station on the lakes, and Meridian, as operator of the Manapōuri power station. 'I thank them for working together to recommend a path forward that better protects the existing patterns, ecological stability and recreational values of the lakes, while optimising hydro generation.' Notes: Changes to the operating guidelines include changing the drawdown rates, reducing duration requirements, and removing equinoctial requirements. In more detail: o Changing the drawdown rates – the rates at which hydro generation can reduce the levels of the lakes – when they are in their 'Low Operating Ranges', enabling Meridian to generate more flexibly at the lower ranges. o Removing the duration requirements on the how long the Lakes can stay within the first band of Low Operating Ranges, enabling Meridian to continue generating more often when hydro levels reach these stages. o Removing equinoctial requirements, which set additional limits on how hydro generation could affect the Lakes twice a year during windier periods. Minister Watts has given effect to these changes under section 4A of the Manapōuri-Te Anau Development Act 1963. The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau are a statutory advisory board appointed by the Minister for Conservation. Of the eight Guardians, at least one is nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tau to represent iwi interests as part of the Crown's Treaty settlement with the iwi.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Extra Hydro Generation Secured To Support Energy Security
Minister for Energy The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau and Meridian Energy have agreed on changes to the Operating Guidelines for how the lake levels are managed, that will boost New Zealand's hydro generation and energy security, Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced. 'These changes will deliver an extra 45 GWh of energy from the Manapōuri Power Scheme each year that's enough energy to power around 6,000 homes. It is an important step in the Government and the sector's work to protect the security of our energy supply for the future,' Mr Watts says. 'Last Winter, New Zealand faced an energy shortage that led to significant price increases for consumers, in part due to low hydro lake levels. This Government will not accept a repeat of last winter and is working at pace to ensure we have a reliable and affordable energy supply. 'Lake Manapōuri and Lake Te Anau are not only environmentally and culturally significant, but they are also essential to New Zealand's energy system. However, in recent years the lower operating ranges of these lakes have been underutilised, impacting our energy supply and risking the health of plant life along their shorelines. 'The agreement reached today allows for more flexible drawdown rates once the lakes reach lower operating levels, enabling Meridian to continue generating when lake levels are low. The changes balance the needs of our country's electricity system with the environmental impact on the lakes and their surrounding areas. 'I am pleased to have enacted the Guardians and Meridian's recommendations by amending the relevant legislation and publishing in the New Zealand gazette. 'I acknowledge the expertise of the Guardians, who are responsible for advising on environmental, ecological and social effects of the power station on the lakes, and Meridian, as operator of the Manapōuri power station. 'I thank them for working together to recommend a path forward that better protects the existing patterns, ecological stability and recreational values of the lakes, while optimising hydro generation.' Notes: Changes to the operating guidelines include changing the drawdown rates, reducing duration requirements, and removing equinoctial requirements. In more detail: o Changing the drawdown rates - the rates at which hydro generation can reduce the levels of the lakes – when they are in their 'Low Operating Ranges', enabling Meridian to generate more flexibly at the lower ranges. o Removing the duration requirements on the how long the Lakes can stay within the first band of Low Operating Ranges, enabling Meridian to continue generating more often when hydro levels reach these stages. o Removing equinoctial requirements, which set additional limits on how hydro generation could affect the Lakes twice a year during windier periods. Minister Watts has given effect to these changes under section 4A of the Manapōuri-Te Anau Development Act 1963. The Guardians of Lakes Manapōuri and Te Anau are a statutory advisory board appointed by the Minister for Conservation. Of the eight Guardians, at least one is nominated by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tau to represent iwi interests as part of the Crown's Treaty settlement with the iwi.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Electrifying Growth: Infrastructure And Energy RMA National Direction Open For Consultation
Press Release – New Zealand Government The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealands infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike, says Mr Bishop. Minister for RMA Reform Hon Simon Watts Minister for Energy The Government is taking action to address the country's infrastructure deficit and energy shortage through a series of important changes to national direction under the RMA, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to twelve different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealand's infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike', says Mr Bishop. 'Sorting out our planning rules is critical to boosting economic growth and improving living standards. 'In our first year in office, we repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to remove unnecessary regulations for primary industries as well as barriers to investment in development and infrastructure. 'We also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver infrastructure and other development projects with significant regional or national benefits. The first projects are already going through the fast-track process. 'Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well as protecting the environment. 'In the meantime, we're making targeted, quick changes through our second RMA Amendment Bill which is expected back from the Environment Committee next month, and these changes to national direction. 'We're proposing a new National Policy Statement for Infrastructure to send a clear message that infrastructure is critical to our prosperity, and to prioritise existing and new infrastructure in resource consent processes. 'We're also proposing a strengthened National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation. The current NPS was drafted in 2011 and is far too vague and woolly. Decision-makers need clear guidance that renewable energy is vital to our prosperity. We need billions of dollars of investment in the coming years in renewable energy supply but it's too hard to consent renewable energy projects'. 'This Government is committed to unleashing transmission and distribution infrastructure on our mission to electrify the New Zealand economy,' Mr Watts says. 'We know the energy system is facing complex challenges right now. The security and reliability of our electricity supply depend on bringing new generation online and strengthening our network infrastructure. 'Right now, New Zealand's energy infrastructure is vulnerable to severe weather events and seasonal shortages. By changing the electricity generation and transmission national direction, we can improve both energy security and affordability, while helping us achieve our goal of doubling renewable energy by 2050. The changes will also support the country's existing renewable energy assets, including lines networks.' 'The current environmental standards around telecommunication facilities were drafted in 2016 and are now very out of date. Changes to the standards will update rules around poles and other infrastructure and create a more efficient consenting environment', Mr Bishop says. 'Cabinet has also agreed to progress new national direction for Natural Hazards. The aim for the new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards is to make straightforward changes that will have an immediate effect on consenting as well as align with the new resource management system.' 'We want councils to make better choices about where and how people can build so that new development is more resilient to severe weather events. Further direction to councils around how to identify, assess and respond to risks from natural hazards can be provided as part of the next stage of resource management reform'. Consultation on these proposals will remain open until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Fact sheet attached here. Infrastructure and development is one of three national direction packages released today as part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system. The other two packages cover changes for the primary sector and freshwater management.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Electrifying Growth: Infrastructure And Energy RMA National Direction Open For Consultation
Press Release – New Zealand Government The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealands infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike, says Mr Bishop. Minister for RMA Reform Hon Simon Watts Minister for Energy The Government is taking action to address the country's infrastructure deficit and energy shortage through a series of important changes to national direction under the RMA, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to twelve different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealand's infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike', says Mr Bishop. 'Sorting out our planning rules is critical to boosting economic growth and improving living standards. 'In our first year in office, we repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to remove unnecessary regulations for primary industries as well as barriers to investment in development and infrastructure. 'We also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver infrastructure and other development projects with significant regional or national benefits. The first projects are already going through the fast-track process. 'Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well as protecting the environment. 'In the meantime, we're making targeted, quick changes through our second RMA Amendment Bill which is expected back from the Environment Committee next month, and these changes to national direction. 'We're proposing a new National Policy Statement for Infrastructure to send a clear message that infrastructure is critical to our prosperity, and to prioritise existing and new infrastructure in resource consent processes. 'We're also proposing a strengthened National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation. The current NPS was drafted in 2011 and is far too vague and woolly. Decision-makers need clear guidance that renewable energy is vital to our prosperity. We need billions of dollars of investment in the coming years in renewable energy supply but it's too hard to consent renewable energy projects'. 'This Government is committed to unleashing transmission and distribution infrastructure on our mission to electrify the New Zealand economy,' Mr Watts says. 'We know the energy system is facing complex challenges right now. The security and reliability of our electricity supply depend on bringing new generation online and strengthening our network infrastructure. 'Right now, New Zealand's energy infrastructure is vulnerable to severe weather events and seasonal shortages. By changing the electricity generation and transmission national direction, we can improve both energy security and affordability, while helping us achieve our goal of doubling renewable energy by 2050. The changes will also support the country's existing renewable energy assets, including lines networks.' 'The current environmental standards around telecommunication facilities were drafted in 2016 and are now very out of date. Changes to the standards will update rules around poles and other infrastructure and create a more efficient consenting environment', Mr Bishop says. 'Cabinet has also agreed to progress new national direction for Natural Hazards. The aim for the new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards is to make straightforward changes that will have an immediate effect on consenting as well as align with the new resource management system.' 'We want councils to make better choices about where and how people can build so that new development is more resilient to severe weather events. Further direction to councils around how to identify, assess and respond to risks from natural hazards can be provided as part of the next stage of resource management reform'. Consultation on these proposals will remain open until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Fact sheet attached here. Infrastructure and development is one of three national direction packages released today as part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system. The other two packages cover changes for the primary sector and freshwater management.
