Planning changes need to speed renewables development - Meridian

Planning changes need to speed renewables development - Meridian
Gavin Evans
By Gavin Evans Feb. 21 (BusinessDesk) - Planning rules will need amending if the country is to increase its use of renewable energy at least cost to the environment and consumers, MPs heard today. The current national policy statement on renewables is “very weak” and doesn’t give councils sufficient direction on how they should be approaching projects, Meridian Energy chief executive Neal Barclay says. The company has also been working with officials on how the national policy statement on fresh water management could be amended to bet...