New Zealand to amend law to unlock offshore wind

The New Zealand Government will amend the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to allow the use of secondary legislation to designate specific marine space for offshore renewable projects while pausing the granting of new seabed mining permits under the Crown Minerals Act.

• Main action: Cabinet has agreed to amend the draft legislation so the Government can use secondary legislation to designate specific marine space where permits could be invited for offshore renewable projects; this applies during a pause on granting new seabed mining permits under the Crown Minerals Act and does not affect petroleum activities or existing minerals projects’ rights to prospect, explore and mine. (Announced by Energy Minister Simon Watts; the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill was introduced last year.)
• Background and implementation details: Offshore wind developers raised concerns during the Select Committee Process about coexistence with seabed mining; Cabinet’s amendments aim to provide investment certainty. The Government has made no decision on the exact location of the first designated area (likely South Taranaki), will take into account impacts on existing mining permit holders, expects offshore wind and minerals sectors to discuss coexistence, and will draft and introduce an Amendment Paper to formalise these changes.