National Party announces 'Electrify NZ' plan to boost renewable energy investment

Community Press
April 04, 2023
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The 'Electrify NZ' plan aims to double the amount of renewable energy available, putting New Zealand on track to reach its climate change targets.

National Leader Christopher Luxon on 31 March unveils the party's ambitious 'Electrify NZ' plan, aiming to accelerate investment in renewable electricity generation to help New Zealand double its supply of clean energy. The plan envisions a future where public transport, cars, and industrial processing plants are powered by clean electricity from the country's abundant solar, wind, and geothermal resources.

National will cut red tape to drive a surge of investment in renewable electricity generation so New Zealand can double its supply of affordable and clean energy. pic.twitter.com/Pdqtr5tcpH
— NZ National Party (@NZNationalParty) March 30, 2023

According to Luxon, the current planning system poses significant barriers to achieving New Zealand's climate goals, with the Resource Management Act cited as the main obstacle. To address these issues, the National Party proposes to:

Expedite resource consent decisions for new renewable power projects, including solar, wind, and geothermal, requiring decisions to be issued within one year and consents to last for 35 years.
Eliminate consents for upgrades to existing infrastructure and most new infrastructure, encouraging investment in transmission and local lines.

The 'Electrify NZ' plan aims to double the amount of renewable energy available, putting New Zealand on track to reach its climate change targets. The National Party highlights that 40% of the country's emissions come from transport and energy, and switching these sectors to clean electricity could contribute to almost a third of the required emissions reductions for Net Zero by 2050.

Luxon criticises the Labour Party's approach to climate change, stating that they have tripled coal imports and increased emissions during their six years in power. The National Party pledges to announce further plans to lower emissions before the election and is committed to meaningful action on climate change while growing the economy. The 'Electrify NZ' plan envisions a low-emissions, high-growth economy that allows New Zealanders to maintain their lifestyles while using clean energy to achieve the country's climate goals.