Energy Transition Plan

High Level Energy Transition Plan for Murihiku- Southland

Context

The Energy Transition workstream is one of the key workstreams within the Murihiku Regeneration kaupapa. It has three components:

1. Tiwai Future – includes closure, clean-up, remediation, environmental impact, cultural and leading to future/re-purposing opportunities. Being led through Awarua Rūnaka (remediation/community development) and supported by Hokonui Rūnanga.

2. Green Energy Future – Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku at the centre of large scale clean energy capability focused around green hydrogen that protects te taiao and supports growth and wellbeing for our region and country.

3. Clean Energy Murihiku – Co-ordinating work with Crown agencies around the Just Transitions programme. This work includes a focus on a renewable energy zone, net zero Rakiura, infrastructure development, and associated policy work.

About the Plan

Murihiku Regeneration has released its High Level Energy Transition Plan for Murihiku-Southland (October 2023) for implementation from 2024 as one of the key regional priorities for action. 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).

In order to deliver on this plan, it will require leadership, courage and commitment, good coordination and alignment, and setting of clear priorities to successfully deliver it.

Responding the National and Regional Energy Strategy Discussions

The plan has been 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 Wananga, 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 (PDF, 494.87 kB).

In August, September, and October, 2023, we responded to the Transpower and PowerNet Regional Planning process and tactical options paper.

Responding to Major Challenges and Issues

There are a number of key challenges and issues around the regional energy transition.

One of the major issues identified in the plan is the need for certainty around Tiwai Smelter beyond 2024. This remains a critical enabler, which shapes to the energy transition. It also identifies that resourcing and funding for new energy and supporting infrastructure remains limited and spread thin. The cost of developing a regenerative economy remains a significant barrier to implementation.

A key finding that has driven the shape of this plan, is the need for certainty to assist around the regulatory and planning framework with a 30 year regional infrastructure plan.

Key Challenges

The plan highlights some of the following key challenges:

1. A lack of certainty around the Tiwai Smelter continuing to operate beyond 2024. There is key risk is that key New Zealand decisionmakers believe a long term future deal to keep the Smelter open is a fait accompli. From our engagements, this is far from certain, and needs to be a priority for action for the key parties involved in the discussion.

2. Filling key infrastructure enabling ‘gaps’ through a Regional Infrastructure Plan:

• 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:

In responding to these key challenges, the Plan identifies actions as follows:

1. Gain and support certainty on Tiwai Smelter- Murihiku Regeneration working with NZAS/ Rio Tinto, regional leaders (including the EoG), and the community to aim towards a long-term solution to 2040; or begin closure planning from February 2024.
2. Establish a proactive and necessary policy and consenting approach to support the Energy Transition by:

i. 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.

ii. Put in place a regional energy transitions leadership group to support the REZ and other initiatives.

iii. 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.

1. Support Innovation and accelerate uptake by:

i. 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.

1. Developing a research, science, and innovation programme that enables the energy transition.

iii. Exploring scalable commercial CO2 capture for SAF/ e-methanol applications, including using biomass innovation.

1. Supporting 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.
2. Support community and distributed energy innovation, projects, and action.
3. 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.

Contact Us

We welcome your comments and contributions on this plan and the wider workstream.

The High Level Plan is available to view or download here (PDF, 1.37 MB).

The Response to the MBIE National Energy Transition process is available here (PDF, 494.87 kB).