Powering a resilient, net-zero future for Taranaki
The region’s evolving energy landscape is also being reshaped by the rise of onshore renewables and electrification. With growing national momentum to decarbonise transport, industry, and process heat, Taranaki is increasingly investing in new renewable generation and energy-smart systems to support a clean, flexible and secure electricity future.
Wind and Solar
Taranaki is already home to successful onshore renewable projects, with room for more. Studies such as the RETA Taranaki Phase One Report confirm that Taranaki has favourable conditions for wind and solar generation, supporting both regional energy resilience and national decarbonisation goals.
Waipipi Wind Farm: Operated by Mercury, is a 133 MW wind farm near Waverley that produces enough clean energy to power more than 65,000 homes — and is a powerful symbol of the region’s wind generation potential.
Kapuni Wind Project: Progressing as part of a green hydrogen facility developed with Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Hiringa Energy. Read more.
New Plymouth Airport: A 10MW solar farm, combined with a 1MWh battery, offering resilience, reduced emissions and greater energy independence. Read more.
Nova Energy: A 2.2MW solar plant located in Kapuni, South Taranaki. Read more.
Rānui Generation: Two solar farms have been consented and are underway in South Taranaki - Kaponga (38MW) and Stratford (40MW). Read more.
Electrification: The Shift is Underway
Electrification is already underway across New Zealand and is expected to pick up pace — supporting a shift toward low-carbon energy systems in homes, transport, and industry. In Taranaki, this presents both significant opportunities and important system-wide planning considerations.
For households, small businesses, light industry, and farms, electrification offers practical and proven pathways to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and potentially cut costs. Technologies such as heat pumps, electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and smart appliances are increasingly accessible and are already transforming how energy is used in the region.
At the same time, emerging technologies like battery storage, demand-side flexibility tools, and energy management systems are playing a growing role. These innovations help balance electricity supply and demand, improve energy resilience, and support the integration of variable renewable generation like wind and solar — especially important as more users generate, store, and manage their own energy.
For larger energy users, particularly those with high-temperature industrial process heat needs, the transition is more complex. In these cases, renewable gases like green hydrogen and biogas may provide more practical alternatives — offering high-energy density, control, and continuity of supply, especially where electrification is technically or economically challenging.
Therefore, New Zealand’s transition will require a range of complementary technologies. The Tapuae Roa 2025/26 Action Plan reinforces this integrated approach — calling for a regional transition that leverages the strengths of Taranaki.