Source: JERA Nex bp
11 August 2025 – Parkwind, the company looking to develop a large-scale wind farm off the coast of South Taranaki, is now part of one of the world’s largest offshore wind developers, JERA Nex bp.
The formation of the 50:50 joint venture – which combines the offshore wind assets of bp with those of Parkwind’s former owner, Japan’s JERA – was completed on August 1.
Peter Spencer, formerly Country Manager New Zealand, Parkwind and now Country Manager New Zealand, JERA Nex bp, welcomed the move.
He said the company was investigating the development of a large-scale wind farm which, if delivered, would establish the foundations for offshore wind in New Zealand and become one of the country’s largest power stations.
Such a project would bring significant energy security benefits by protecting water storage in the existing hydro schemes for when it’s needed most in dry years.
JERA Nex bp CEO Nathalie Oosterlinck said: “JERA Nex bp begins life with a strong operating portfolio and an extensive development pipeline. We bring together two highly capable teams with the experience, relationships, purchasing power and unique global access of two of the East and West’s pre-eminent energy companies. This gives us the expertise and experience to find new ways to create value from offshore wind and become one of the world’s leading companies in the sector.”
Spencer said offshore wind was a proven, scalable technology that could diversify New Zealand’s energy mix, boost resilience, and advance the country’s environmental goals.
“But for this to happen, our regulatory environment needs some fine tuning.
“The Government deserves credit for advancing a regulatory regime to facilitate renewable energy development, and a new offshore renewable energy act will represent a significant milestone. However, we need to ensure that the legislative framework is fit for purpose and gives certainty to help build a compelling investment case that draws capital to New Zealand over competing countries
.
“For example, to attract capital to New Zealand we need to consider how our regime can reassure long-term investors and offer synergies to investors also interested in Australia.
“JERA Nex bp is a significant global scale investor, builder and operator of offshore wind. Without fit-for-purpose regulation, investors will simply look elsewhere, and New Zealand will miss an excellent opportunity to secure its resilient clean energy future.”
About JERA Nex bp
Headquartered in London, with offices across Europe, Asia, US and Australasia, JERA Nex bp has a portfolio of operational and development projects across nine countries, and draws on a rich heritage of pioneering offshore wind in Asia Pacific and the North Sea.
www.jnbp.com
