by Metropol | December 10, 2025 8:33 am
In April 2025, Genesis Energy Limited lodged an application to continue operating and maintaining the Tekapo power scheme, which includes Tekapo A and B power stations and substations, and the canal system. National have welcomed this project as the first renewable energy project to be approved under the Fast-track Approvals Act.
Genesis Energy applied for a standard RMA resource consent in July 2023. However, a year into the process, Genesis indicated that further delays were likely due to the council hearing process and the potential for appeals. Genesis then applied for fast-track on April 2025, with the process taking just 80 days once a panel was appointed.
The Tekapo power scheme can generate enough clean electricity to power more than 228,000 Canterbury households, and most importantly, plays a vital role in keeping our grid reliable, ensuring the lights stay on. The project has become a fantastic example of the Act doing exactly what it should, speeding up consenting for vital infrastructure in New Zealand.
Last month’s approval follows the approval of the Port of Auckland expansion, Maitahi Village development in Nelson, and the Milldale development in Auckland. I’m pleased to see the system delivering approvals in key areas and giving the large infrastructure projects New Zealand needs certainty.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones are now working on legislative changes to speed up the fast-track process, iron out problematic areas and get projects underway even faster.
I’m looking forward to more applications going through the fast-track process to create jobs, regional prosperity, and much-needed economic growth for all of New Zealand.
Vanessa.weenink@parliament.govt.nz
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/renewable-energy-vanessa-weenink/
Copyright ©2025 Metropol unless otherwise noted.