Luxon: National to fast track offshore wind farms

National leader Christopher Luxon says the party wants to fast track permits for offshore wind farms, so that feasibility studies can get under way.

He says National wants a growing New Zealand economy powered by clean energy from renewable energy, including from offshore wind.

Stuff reports that Luxon made the announcement on Thursday while on the hustings in Taranaki.

According to Stuff, National says it would also complete the development of offshore wind regulations within one year, require decisions on resource consents for offshore wind generation to be made within two years of an application, and consents for new transmission lines to be issued within one year.

It would also eliminate consents for upgrades to existing transmission lines, within limits and work with Crown Research Institutes to publish weather and geology data to accelerate investment in offshore wind.

National says it would also support local port upgrades for offshore wind by establishing a National Infrastructure Agency to improve funding, procurement and delivery of infrastructure, and look to provide further support through city and regional deals.

According to Stuff, there are no regulations in place but the Government expects to have regulations passed in late 2024.