The Court of Appeal in Wellington will hear an appeal lodged by Greenpeace on May 23rd regarding the granting of resource consent for a $70 million green hydrogen project in South Taranaki, New Zealand.
The Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust supported Greenpeace in objecting to the “fast-tracking” of the resource consent process made possible by the government’s Covid recovery rules. In October last year, the High Court had dismissed the appeal, ruling that no errors in law were made. The project by Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Hiringa Energy Limited involves establishing four 206-metre wind turbines near Manaia to generate electricity for the nearby Ballance Agri-Nutrients ammonia-urea manufacturing plant, producing hydrogen. The Court of Appeal will consider the basis of overturning the previous court decision, and the hearing will be presided over by Justices Cooper, Katz, and Mallon.
The joint venture by Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Hiringa Energy Limited aims to produce green hydrogen using wind turbines to generate electricity, which would power the ammonia-urea manufacturing plant in South Taranaki. This project aims to provide clean energy, contributing towards the New Zealand government’s climate goals and reducing the country’s carbon footprint. However, the granting of the resource consent for the project has been challenged by Greenpeace and Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust, who are objecting to the fast-tracking of the resource consent process made possible by the government’s Covid recovery rules.
The hearing in the Court of Appeal will determine whether there are any grounds to overturn the previous court decision, which ruled that no errors in law were made regarding the granting of resource consent for the green hydrogen project. The outcome of the appeal will determine the future of the project, and the decision may have a significant impact on the country’s renewable energy sector. The case highlights the growing tension between the government’s push for green energy and the need to balance environmental concerns with economic development.
The green hydrogen project in South Taranaki is part of New Zealand’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy. The project’s success would set a precedent for similar initiatives and could encourage more investment in the country’s renewable energy sector. However, the project’s opponents argue that the fast-tracking of the resource consent process was improper and sets a dangerous precedent for future projects. The case highlights the challenges faced by governments and businesses in balancing the need for economic growth with environmental concerns.
Overall, the appeal hearing in the Court of Appeal will have significant implications for the future of the green hydrogen project and the country’s renewable energy sector. The outcome will depend on the interpretation of the law and the arguments presented by both sides. Regardless of the decision, the case highlights the growing importance of renewable energy in New Zealand and the need for careful consideration of environmental concerns in economic development.
