About the Plan
Murihiku Regeneration released its High Level Energy Transition Plan for Murihiku-Southland (download PDF) in October 2023, for implementation from 2024.
This high level plan identifies that Murihiku-Southland is better placed than most other regions in New Zealand to leverage and accelerate the energy transition to support a regenerative economy based around the four Ngai Tahu pou (economic, environment, social and cultural).
Responding the National and Regional Energy Strategy Discussions
The plan was developed by working with government, industrial users, developers, generators, and the community. This work formed a key part of our May 2022 Energy and Innovation Wānanga, which has included extensive engagement and consultation.
As a part of our programme of work, we have responded to both national and regional consultations to develop our plan.
In November 2023, we responded to the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment energy transition discussions process and participated in a number of regional workshops and pan Iwi discussions to develop our response (download PDF).
In August, September, and October, 2023, we responded to the Transpower and PowerNet Regional Planning process and tactical options paper.
Key Challenges
The plan highlights some of the following key challenges:
- the need for regional leadership and collaboration;
- an enabling policy and regulatory framework;
- the lack of infrastructure and support;
- accelerating uptake (new supply and demand projects);
- the need to support innovation through research and development; and
- establishing an enabling environment for investment (currently too costly).
Proposed Action Areas
The Plan identifies that we need to:
1. Establish a proactive and necessary policy and consenting approach to support the Energy Transition
- Pushing for the establishment of a Murihiku-Southland Renewable Energy and Industry Zone (REZ) or similar concept that provides certainty, allows for coordination and alignment, and supports longer term investment decisions.
- Put in place a regional energy transitions leadership group to support the REZ and other initiatives.
- Work with local councils to develop a ‘consenting taskforce’ to respond to regional energy project priorities to remove barriers and speed up consenting and planning decisions.
2. Support innovation and accelerate uptake
Leveraging from the HWR Group dual fuel initiative, Southern Airports Pilot Project, and regional hydrogen transition initiative to establish a Murihiku ‘renewable energy hub’ that supports the early adoption of aviation and heavy transport decarbonisation.
3. Support the development of a research, science, and innovation programme that enables the energy transition
- Explore scalable commercial CO2 capture for SAF/ e-methanol applications, including using biomass innovation.
- Support the Net Zero Rakiura 2030 initiative – by supporting the development of a plan in 2024, through the established Rakiura Project Group. This plan, once endorsed by the community, can be presented to the local and central government for consideration.
- Support community and distributed energy innovation, projects, and action.
- Developing a Priority Workforce Plan for priority net zero trades. This will be undertaken through engagement with the sector and in conjunction with our Te Ara Aukati Kore workstream.