Developing Small-Scale Renewable Energy Projects in New Zealand

This report provides high level guidance to independent renewable energy project developers who wish to investigate and progress distributed generation projects.

This report was commissioned by EECA and prepared by Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd. The report focuses on geothermal, hydro and wind projects in the range of 10 kW to 20 MW. The report makes developers aware of the range of issues that need to be addressed at the early stages of such projects, up until the point when developers typically seek tender submissions for detailed design and equipment supply.

In most cases, project developers will engage professional expertise to assist with project development. This report does not provide comprehensive or definitive step-by-step guidance to help overcome the raft of barriers that often slow or prevent uptake of distributed generation. However, the information herein on key stages of project development, including consideration of commercial and financial issues, the electricity market, resource assessment and environmental effects, and grid connection and maintenance, will help illuminate what can be a convoluted and difficult process for ‘non-traditional' electricity market participants.