Parkwind/JERA Nex bp: Offshore Wind in New Zealand
Greenwood Roche was engaged over several years by Parkwind NV, later JERA Nex bp, to advise on its investigations into establishment of an offshore wind farm in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone and/or territorial sea.
Led by Partner Brigid McArthur, the Greenwood Roche team was closely involved on all legal aspects of JERA Nex bp’s New Zealand establishment activities, including:
- initial policy and regulatory settings advice;
- participation in NZWEA’s Offshore Wind WorkingGroup;
- detailed work, alongside MBIE officials, on the development of the regulatory regime, culminating in enactment of the Offshore Renewable Energy Act 2026;
- advice on application of the Resource Management Act 1991, Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 and the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 as well as marine mammals and maritime legislation and civil aviation/defence legislation;
- advice on full and proper engagement with iwi;
- government relations support;
- advice on strategy and approach to deal with a competing seabed mining application including participation (as an opponent) in the associated fast-track consenting process;
- engagement with Meridian Energy as joint venture partner under a non-binding MoU; and
- overseas investment advice.
Sadly for New Zealand, NERA Nex bp withdrew as a prospective developer in December 2025 before enactment of the offshore wind permitting regime, to focus on its core international markets.
