A new $27 million clean energy centre will be built in Taranaki by the Government, and another $20 million over four years will go into research, Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden announced during her opening speech at the Just Transition Summit in New Plymouth last month.
The new centre will look at the full range of emerging clean energy options such as offshore wind, solar batteries, hydrogen and new forms of energy storage.
"For decades, Taranaki has been our top energy producing region and now, in the 21st century, the region can be a leader in clean energy as well," Ardern said.
Venture Taranaki’s chief executive Justine Gilliland said “with a strong energy sector, Taranaki is well-positioned to be at the forefront of the low-emissions future”.
"This centre will compliment our investments in hydrogen, Green Finance Ltd, the Zero Carbon Bill and our upcoming renewable energy strategy to help New Zealand create new jobs in new industries while moving away from fossil fuels that cause climate change,” Ardern adds.
Hiringa Energy welcomes the announcement which follows years of consultation, strategy development and planning by local, regional and central government, industry and Maori leaders, and the community via the Taranaki 2050 and Tapuae Roa Regional Economic development strategy. Hiringa Energy is honoured to have been part of helping to shape that strategy and looks forward to the establishment of the Centre that will fill a critical role in our region's future.
Links to the original Tapuae Roa Economic Development Action Plan and the Energy Action Plan outlining the New Energy Development Centre and H2 Taranaki initiatives can be found here:
Tapuae Roa Economic Development Action Plan
Tapuae Roa Energy Action Plan: