Offshore wind capability study reveals new opportunities

An Industry Capability Mapping Study has been released indicating the potential for offshore wind to create many new Taranaki region jobs and smooth the transition from emissions-intensive industries.

The study, commissioned by the Taranaki Offshore Partnership (TOP) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) with Ara Ake’s support, gathered information from more than 100 organisations through workshops, surveys and interviews over a year, as well as analysing case studies from around the world.

Leveraging information from international projects, the study and jobs guide identify the sorts of jobs created by the planning, building and operational phases of a wind farm, and highlight what skills and capabilities exist in Taranaki and where more can be done such as training.

TOP’s Giacomo Caleffi says that as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies globally, offshore wind provides New Zealand with an opportunity to transition from oil and gas, while creating new opportunities for skilled workers previously working in that industry.

“New Zealand requires a significant increase in renewable energy generation to meet our emissions reduction targets, and to enable the decarbonisation of the economy into the future,” he explains.

‘Offshore wind has a key role to play in New Zealand’s future energy mix.

“It provides renewable energy at scale and complements many other forms of renewable energy generation,” Caleffi says.

“To unlock these benefits, it’s key that we support and develop the New Zealand workforce and supply chain now to enable the development of an offshore wind farm once the feasibility stages of the project are complete.”

NZTE investment manager Hayden Mackenzie says leveraging the international experience of offshore wind developers such as Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, has enabled them to accelerate their understanding of what the industry could look like in New Zealand.

“TOP’s combined experience of developing successful offshore wind farms overseas, and the New Zealand infrastructure landscape, is vital for beginning to plan how the wider sector can support this new emergent industry, in both workforce and supply chain planning,” he says.

“Coupled with the insights gathered throughout the study, it’s clear that offshore wind presents a unique opportunity for Taranaki and provides more renewable energy for growing domestic and export demand.”

Ara Ake chief executive Cristiano Marantes says the study paints a positive picture of the offshore wind opportunity for the region.

“Ara Ake has a mandate to accelerate the demonstration, commercialisation, and deployment of low emissions energy solutions, and collaborating with energy innovators, like Taranaki Offshore Partnership in this study, is crucial to fostering a new energy ecosystem in New Zealand,” he says.

TOP is hosting regular meetings at its information hub in Hawera to establish meaningful relationships with the Taranaki community, and to hear public feedback.

The next session on Monday October 30 will focus on job opportunities associated with offshore wind, as highlighted by this study.

National leader Christopher Luxon has promised the party will fast track permits for offshore wind farms.

Click here for the Industry Capability Mapping Study and Jobs Guide.