Offshore renewable energy

Developing a regulatory regime

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is working on implementing a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy. The regime focuses on addressing gaps in our current system to enable development of our offshore renewable energy resources. Getting our regulatory settings right will allow development to begin as early as possible, while protecting the interests of New Zealanders now and in the future.

Design of offshore renewable energy regulatory regime

The Government has made key decisions on the design of an offshore renewable regulatory regime.

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More detail on the design of the regime

Design of the Offshore renewable energy regulatory regime

Further advice to Ministers is available in our document library

Indicative timeline for the proposed regulatory regime 

Below is the indicative timeline for the development of the regime. The timeline is indicative only and is subject to final Cabinet decisions. Timeframes will be brought forward where possible.

^{*Secondary legislation will be prepared alongside the Bill to enable implementation as soon as possible.}

Consultation on an offshore renewable energy regime

In late 2023, MBIE sought feedback on proposed regulations to enable renewable energy development at sea. This was the second discussion document for public consultation on proposals for offshore renewable energy regulation.

Public consultation on this document, as well as a package of discussion documents to advance New Zealand’s energy transition, ended on 2 November 2023. We received over 50 submissions in relation to offshore renewable energy development. 

Between December 2022 and April 2023, MBIE consulted on proposed approaches to enabling feasibility studies for offshore renewable energy developments. MBIE received 59 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders and iwi. 

Consultation on advancing New Zealand’s energy transition

On 1 November 2024 we started a targeted consultation with developers that have a declared interest in New Zealand and with relevant iwi and hapū. The consultation seeks views on the proposed fees and levies to fund the regulator functions for the offshore renewable energy regime. Consultation is open until 5.00 pm on 2 December 2024.

Read the discussion documents and a summary of what we heard

Summary of submissions: Developing a regulatory framework for offshore renewable energy

Submissions received(external link)

Contact us

MBIE is engaging regularly with those who have expressed an interest in the development of the offshore renewable energy regime. To be kept informed of these opportunities and to receive updates on progress please register your interest:

Register your interest

This page will be updated with significant milestones and developments as the work progresses.