A juggernaut is coming to Aotearoa from the north. It’s a massive renewable energy industry called offshore wind farming, and if its promoters are to be believed, it could yet pump tens of billions into our economy, and provide thousands of jobs.
The Global Wind Energy Council apparently refers to New Zealand as “the Saudi Arabia of wind”, due to our location in the “roaring forties” latitude. But it’s already more than hot air – prospective developers have been engaging with Māori and other stakeholders since 2019. And the government has begun work on a regulatory regime that will eventually be needed to oversee it all.
According to Taranaki energy consultancy Elemental Group, the development of offshore wind farms is likely to provide jobs for between 1000 and 4000 people, either directly or indirectly, within the first decade. Once all the projects are operational, which could be by 2050, operating and maintaining them could require between 2500 and 8300 employees.
Around the world, interest in wind power has surged, as countries grapple with their responses to climate change. Inevitably, the industry has also faced scrutiny from environmental campaigners who claim it is not without its faults. But that level of scrutiny has yet to be seen here.
Justine Gilliland, who now manages a partnership between Elemental and Spanish offshore wind developer BlueFloat Energy, saw the wind wave coming in early 2019 when she was chief executive of regional development agency Venture Taranaki. “I heard over lunch that the Dutch were transitioning and leveraging their oil and gas expertise for a low-emissions future. And I thought, wow, that’s something we could do in Taranaki, with our similar skill sets and existing infrastructure.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 4-10 2023-Ausgabe von New Zealand Listener.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 4-10 2023-Ausgabe von New Zealand Listener.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Roman scandals
Sarah Watt reviews two major titles at this year's Italian Film Festival.
Rising tide
Twenty years on from the foreshore and seabed hikoi, the issues behind it have not subsided.
The balance of Powers
The Naked and Famous star is unashamedly indulgent in his new solo album.
Love, love me Who
New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa and producer Russell T Davies talk about getting by with a little help from their friends.
Raising the barre
Why acclaimed Kiwi director James Napier Robertson-took on the bruising true story of an American ballerina in Russia.
A dickens of a novel
Historical novel is rich in women characters from all levels of Victorian society - including some from real life.
Parental advisory
A vibrant collection of essays sets out to answer one less-than-simple question: what makes a mother?
Unhappy endings
Leslie Jamison anatomises her broken marriage in a candid new memoir - but who or what was really to blame?
'I am still quite overwhelmed'
Ginette McDonald is good with voices. Now, a new anthology celebrates the long and varied career of the actor who brought us Lynn of Tawa. Just don't call it a valedictory.
A long Trekka north
Almost forgotten in this country, NZ's only homedesigned, mass-produced motor vehicle has a new following in Europe.