10726 (2024). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Energy

10726 (2024). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Energy: Further to WPQ 1159 (2024), what initiatives, if any, has he instigated to ensure that there is adequate storage in place for Winter 2024?

Hon Simeon Brown: I have made clear to the Electricity Authority my expectations about keeping the lights on by ensuring market settings enable a reliable supply security of supply. I have discontinued the previous Government’s target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and its Lake Onslow investigation, which were chilling private investment in new supply and storage. I have also signalled clearly to stakeholders how this Government aims to ensure market settings enable investment - we are removing red and green tape by repealing the ban on offshore petroleum exploration and reducing the resource consent barriers that hamper infrastructure projects.