Pioneer not taking fast-track consent process for granted

A power generator has expressed caution regarding the use of fast-track legislation for project approvals, highlighting the potential risks involved in such an approach.

Pioneer Energy has received the green light from Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds to move forward with its Jericho wind farm project in Southland under fast-track legislation.

However, CEO Fraser Jonker emphasized that the company is not guaranteed to pursue the fast-track process for this project. In addition to Jericho, Pioneer Energy is also considering a large wind farm project called Project Kaihiku in collaboration with Manawa Energy, which could power approximately 135,000 households with its capacity of 300MW.

The Jericho wind farm, on the other hand, is a smaller-scale project with a maximum output of 35MW and a budget of around $100 million. Situated near Otautau, the farm will feature up to eight wind turbines with blade tips reaching heights of 210m.

While Mrs. Simmonds has granted Pioneer Energy a two-year window to apply for fast-track approval for the Jericho project, Mr. Jonker stated that the company is still in the process of gathering information and engaging with the community to determine the best approach for Project Kaihiku.

He explained that both traditional Resource Management Act processes and fast-track options present their own challenges, with the latter posing the risk of non-appealable decisions and potentially project-altering conditions.

Fast-track applications are intended to expedite the consenting process for projects like wind farms, but thorough investigations and community consultations are still necessary steps. Pioneer Energy aims to complete investigations for the Jericho wind farm by the end of the year or early next year before making further decisions.

Meanwhile, Contact Energy is also pursuing a large wind farm project in Southland under fast-track legislation. Following feedback from interested parties and critiques of its visual landscape and ecology studies, the company temporarily suspended the process to address concerns raised by the EPA panel.

Overall, the use of fast-track legislation for energy projects offers potential benefits in accelerating approvals but requires careful consideration of risks and thorough preparation to ensure successful outcomes.