In the General Election campaign in New Zealand, the Labour Party has pledged that it would aim to make 100 per cent of the country’s electricity generation renewable by 2030 if elected, five years ahead of the current Government target. It said it would do this by banning the building of new coal or gas power plants, and allowing renewable energy projects to get consent faster. It said that it would spend another $70 million on a possible pumped hydro scheme at Lake Onslow in Otago.
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said that the target would be reviewed in 2025 as the Government worked out its carbon budget that year, as required under the Zero Carbon Act.