The Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment want to hear your views on proposals to improve renewable electricity generation and electricity transmission consenting. This will help Aotearoa New Zealand meet its emissions reduction targets.
See the proposals and have your say [MBIE website]
The proposals provide more enabling policy direction for renewable electricity infrastructure development particularly wind and solar generation and transmission projects.
The proposals relate to a package of national direction instruments under the Resource Management Act (1991).
This covers the existing:
And new:
Current national direction was developed before emissions reduction targets were incorporated into New Zealand law and no longer supports the pace and scale of development required to decarbonise our economy.
Competing interests with other important environmental considerations, such as valued landscapes and indigenous biodiversity, have been an issue with past project consenting. The consultation proposes options for nationally consistent ‘consenting pathways’ to guide how environmental impacts are balanced against the need for renewable electricity development.
The proposals also cover ways to enable small and community-scale renewable electricity generation. These projects often face disproportionate consenting requirements and costs relative to their adverse effects. New technologies, such as grid-connected battery storage, will also be covered.
In line with current best practice, Māori interests in the consenting process for renewables and transmission will be provided for by placing value on early engagement and protecting sites of significance.
These proposals are being progressed separately to resource management reform. The reformed resource management system will better reflect the strategic importance of renewable electricity generation in decision-making.
The Government expects any changes coming from this consultation to be aligned with the wider resource management reforms.
Consultation opens on 20 April and closes on 1 June 2023.