Background to the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation
Scoping
In 2005, after a review of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), the notion of national policy guidance for energy projects was considered by the Minister for the Environment as part of a wider programme improving planning and consenting hurdles under the RMA.
The Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Development jointly led a stakeholder reference group looking at the merits of both a potential national policy statement and national environmental standards for electricity generation. This was not limited to renewable generation, but all forms of thermal and renewable electricity generation. For details on the background work carried out by the 2005 Reference Group, see Scoping a National Policy Statement on Electricity Generation on the Ministry of Economic Development website.
In 2006, the reference group concluded that there would be marginal benefit in pursuing a generic national policy statement on electricity generation.
This work was superseded by consultation on the New Zealand Energy Strategy 2007 released in October 2007. The strategy identified the preparation of a national policy statement for renewable electricity generation as a key action in support of the Government’s sustainable energy goals.
Board of Inquiry on the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation
A board of inquiry was established in August 2008 to hear public submissions and report back to the Minister for the Environment with recommendations on the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation (NPS REG). The Board was chaired by Dunedin-based barrister Dr Royden Somerville, QC. The other Board members were Geraldine Baumann, Sir Wira Gardiner and Dr Ralph Chapman.
The proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation was publicly notified in September 2008. A section 32 evaluation of costs and benefits and regulatory impact statement were also prepared for the proposed NPS REG.
Hearings were held from April to August 2009. The Board of Inquiry provided its report and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment in March 2010.
Information relating to the board of inquiry is available from the Board of Inquiry for the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation web pages.
National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011
The Minister for the Environment considered the Board of Inquiry’s report and recommendations. A summary of the Board of Inquiry’s recommendations and the Minister for the Environment’s decision is available.
The final National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation was approved by Cabinet on 4 April 2011 and the Governor-General on 11 April 2011. It was issued by notice in the New Zealand Gazette on 14 April 2011 and is in effect from 13 May 2011. A section 32 evaluation of costs and benefits and regulatory impact statement were also prepared for the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011.
Last updated: 7 June 2011
