On Thursday 10 March, we kicked off with the first meeting of the Clean Energy Working Group, led through Murihiku Regeneration.
The purpose of the work is to sit alongside the Tiwai Futures and Green Energy work underway within Murihiku Regeneration. This specific work will look at regional priorities and projects for consideration first by the Just Transitions Enduring Oversight Group member (made up of regional leaders), and then to then go to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for prioritisation, and then to Minister Megan Woods to consider and present to Cabinet later this year. To support this work, a final report will be delivered to government by late August 2022.
Our Sponsor – Tā Tipene ORegan – Upoko o Awarua, has focused and challenged the group to look at projects which are regenerative, transformative, and which will support successive generations at a local community, regional and work in the national interest. High on the list will be consideration of ‘green’ energy projects – including new generation, production and storage, marine energy, distribution and process heat projects.
Our Working Group Chair – Eric Roy along with Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director – Terry Nicholas from Hokunui Rūnanga – is leading a diverse group of national, regional level leaders with strong engagement and input from Murihiku Hapū, to develop and support an approach which will help enable the transition away from fossil fuels.
The group will be focused on high value opportunities that can be developed and delivered in the near future – and help activate and speed up the renewables transition. We will also be looking at activating the ecosystem needed to rapidly supprt this transformation- and decide where we need to really focus.
We will be providing details of the working group mahi, background on the membership, and enable contribution and comments from Murihiku whānui and the wider community on projects and priorities to the various sector leads as they identify priorities.
