Taranaki's political leaders say the region is perfectly positioned to lead the country's transition to renewable energy. Photo / iStock
Taranaki's political leaders say the region is perfectly positioned to lead the country's transition to renewable energy. Photo / iStock
As a region, Taranaki has the potential to be a centre of renewable energy excellence and drive the country’s transition to a new energy system, says Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke.
Neil is chairman of the Taranaki Mayoral Forum, which consists of the region’s three mayors, and the chairman of Taranaki Regional Council.
Last week the forum made a submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of its consultation on advancing New Zealand’s energy transition.
Neil says with climate change threatening communities and ecosystems, the forum recognises New Zealand must reach its emissions targets and take a strategic approach to transitioning to a new energy system.
“The Taranaki Mayoral Forum is committed to enhancing community wellbeing and ensuring our region remains at the heart of New Zealand’s energy sector. We call on the Government to commit to the same.”
The Taranaki Mayoral Forum consists of South Taranaki District Mayor Phil Nixon, Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke, Taranaki Regional Council chairwoman Charlotte Littlewood and New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom. File photo / Ilona Hanne
The submission sets out five actions the Government should take to support an equitable energy transition for Taranaki and help shift New Zealand to clean, renewable energy. These include support for tangible projects that leverage the region’s oil and gas expertise and infrastructure and the creation of an environment that leverages energy generation assets and the development of Port Taranaki for offshore wind and hydrogen export.
It also calls for training to meet projected labour demands in the region, a regulatory environment that facilitates investment in the industry and Government investment in transmission lines out of Taranaki to ensure renewable energy can reach the national grid.
Neil says Taranaki is ideally placed to lead the required shift, due to its energy expertise, location and world-class wind and sunlight “just waiting to be harnessed”.
The forum supports the development of a bespoke regulatory regime for offshore renewable electricity generation that protects the environment without unnecessary complexity.
It also considers green hydrogen has a potentially critical role to play in New Zealand’s energy future and believes Taranaki can underpin and enable advancements in New Zealand’s hydrogen industry. The forum also welcomed a considered approach to a gas transition, pointing out this must be managed to avoid system shocks and support households to electrify.
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, the regional development agency for Taranaki, collaborated closely with the forum in preparing the submission, says Neil.
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki also submitted its own statement, emphasising its commitment to the region’s leadership in the renewable energy transition and highlighting the significant economic benefits of the energy sector for Taranaki, stressing the importance of active engagement by the incoming government.
Neil says there are differing views on how New Zealand should achieve its renewable energy goals and ongoing public engagement – at a community and national level - will be vital to ensure all voices are heard. He says the forum acknowledges moving New Zealand to a new energy system, which both meets emissions targets and enhances community wellbeing, will be a challenge.
”But it’s a challenge that Taranaki is ready, willing and more than able to take on.”
