29901 (2023). Hon Julie Anne Genter to the Minister for Energy

29901 (2023). Hon Julie Anne Genter to the Minister for Energy: What cost-benefit analysis, if any, did the Minister receive on the decision to cancel the Lake Onslow Battery Project?

Hon Simeon Brown: With an estimated cost of $16 billion, Lake Onslow was an expensive approach to ensuring dry year electricity security, which industry experts warned could have a chilling effect on the pipeline of renewable electricity generation in New Zealand. The previous Government landed on this as a preferred solution, without first examining how to make the electricity market work best for New Zealanders. In scrapping Lake Onslow, we have delivered on a key priority in the Government’s 100 Day Plan.