“On the 11th December, JERA Nex bp announced their decision to no longer progress the development of its offshore wind farm proposals in Aotearoa New Zealand.
JERA Nex bp is a joint venture that develops, finances, and operates offshore wind farms, and over the past three years they have invested significant time and capital in progressing plans for a large-scale wind farm in the sea off the coast of South Taranaki. The decision to cease its activities at the end of 2025 is disappointing, but it is not a reflection of our abundant offshore wind resource or its long-term commercial potential. Aotearoa New Zealand has world-class offshore wind conditions, particularly off the South Taranaki coast, and offshore wind remains a strategically important option for meeting the country’s’ future electricity demand, supporting electrification, and strengthening energy security over the coming decades.
This decision — following the recent exits of other international offshore wind developers — highlights the complex challenges facing offshore wind development, both here and internationally. Offshore developers therefore have a choice where they invest, and this decision underscores the importance of having an internationally competitive regulatory framework, seabed access certainty, and investment mechanisms that are needed to support large-scale, capital-intensive offshore wind projects.
NZWEA acknowledges the extensive technical, environmental and stakeholder work undertaken by JERA Nex bp, Parkwind and Meridian Energy over the past four years, and we recognise the constructive engagement with iwi, communities, and government agencies throughout this process. That work has helped build valuable knowledge and capability that will benefit Aotearoa New Zealand in the future. The CEO and Board would like to thank JERA Nex bp Country Manager Peter Spencer for his invaluable involvement on the NZWEA Board and the industry and wish him all the best.”
