Offshore Renewable Energy Bill
This bill creates a system for building offshore renewable energy projects — things like wind turbines out at sea. Right now there are no rules for this. The bill sets up two types of permits: one to study if a project is possible, and one to actually build it. It also covers safety zones around the structures, rules for cleaning up when projects end, and requirements to consult Māori groups. It applies to New Zealand's ocean areas.
What this affects
Tap a topic to see how this bill touches it, and the parts of the text that show it.
The bill creates the rules needed for companies to build offshore renewable energy projects like wind farms in New Zealand's oceans for the first time.
The purpose of this Act is to— (a) give greater certainty for developers to invest in ORE developments; and (b) allow the selection of ORE developments that best meet New Zealand's national interests
renewable energy resource means any one of the following resources from which energy may be obtained: (a) wind: (b) waves: (c) tides: (d) ocean currents: (e) light or heat from the sun: (f) rain: (g) geothermal heat
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 5 February 2025.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.