Radio NZ reports:A prominent backer of the Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme says he’s already fielding interest from international investors. Now it is being backed by a private-sector firm, The Clutha Pumped Hydro Consortium, and the government has agreed to refer the scheme for possible fast-tracking. I was adamantly opposed to it as a government project where taxpayers would be forking out $16 to $28 billion. But if a group of private investors wish to raise capital for it, then that’s great. A spokesperson for the Ministry for the Environment said the Minister for Infrastructure had issued a decision to refer the project to the Fast-track approvals process.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 02, 2026 00:04 UTC