The New Zealand government has introduced the Fast Track Approval Bill, a new piece of legislation featuring 149 projects. This initiative aims to revitalize the country’s economy, tackle its housing crisis, boost energy security, and address critical infrastructure gaps.
New Bill Highlights 149 Projects to Boost Economy and Renewable Energy
Of the proposed initiatives, 22 are dedicated to renewable energy, with ten focusing specifically on solar PV. The list includes several large-scale solar plants, such as the 420 MW Point Solar Farm and the 220 MW Haldon Station project, both in Canterbury on New Zealand’s South Island. The bill also fast-tracks Canterbury’s 88 MW Balmoral Station solar array and the Black Point solar power plant, along with the 76 MW Wellsford solar PV project in Auckland. Beyond solar, the list features five hydro schemes, seven wind farms, and two energy infrastructure projects.
“The 22 renewable energy projects will help electrify the New Zealand economy, boost energy security and help New Zealand address its climate change goals,” said Chris Bishop, New Zealand’s minister for infrastructure. “New Zealand has abundant renewable energy resources, but the planning system puts barrier after barrier in the way of taking advantage of them. Collectively, the projects will contribute an additional 3GW of generation capacity, if all consented. By comparison, Auckland’s historic peak demand is about 2GW.”
Lodestone and Harmony Energy Projects Added to Fast-Track Bill
UK-based developer Harmony Energy has three projects included in the bill: the Hinuera Solar Farm in Waikato, the 26 MW Bunnythorpe Solar Farm in Manawatū-Whanganui, and the Huirangi Solar Farm in Taranaki, on the western side of New Zealand’s North Island.
Auckland-based Lodestone Energy’s 220 MW Haldon Station solar project is on the list, alongside the Black Point Solar Farm in Canterbury, the Rotokawa Solar Farm in Waikato, and the Foxton Solar Farm being developed by the SolarGen joint venture in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.
“The government has a goal of doubling New Zealand’s renewable electricity generation. The 22 renewable electricity projects listed for fast-track will help us achieve that ambition,” said Simeon Brown, New Zealand Energy Minister. “If all of these projects were to proceed, then New Zealand’s electricity generation capacity would increase by almost 30%. This would significantly boost our energy security.”
Bill to Seek EPA Approval, Set for November Reading
The committee is scheduled to report back to Parliament by October 18, with the bill set for its second reading in November. If passed, the listed projects will be eligible to apply to the EPA for review by an expert panel with the authority to grant approval.
“The panels will include members with technical expertise relevant to a project, expertise in environmental matters and where relevant, conservation. They will function much the same way as the Covid-19 Fast Track legislation established by the previous government,” said Shane Jones, Regional Development Minister. “The Fast Track Approvals Bill is a key part of the government’s plan to rebuild our economy and cut through the red and green tape that has made it more and more difficult to build the projects New Zealand needs.”
