[1]
EVENT BRIEFING
Launch of New Zealand Net Zero Investment Fund
Date:
4 August 2023
Priority:
High
Security
In Confidence
Tracking
2324-0428
classification:
number:
Action sought
Action sought
Deadline
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Note the run sheet and background for your
7 August 2023
Minister of Energy and attendance at the launch of BlackRock’s New
Resources
Zealand Net Zero Investment Fund.
Contact for telephone discussion (if required)
Name
Position
Telephone
1st contact
Peter Bartlett
Director, Sector Engagement
s 9(2)(a)
The fol owing departments/agencies have been consulted
N/A
Minister’s office to complete:
Approved
Declined
Noted
Needs change
Seen
Overtaken by Events
See Minister’s Notes
Withdrawn
Comments
[1]
EVENT BRIEFING
Launch of New Zealand Net Zero Investment Fund
Date:
4 August 2023
Priority:
High
Security
In Confidence
Tracking
2324-0428
classification:
number:
Purpose
To provide run sheet background for your attendance at the launch of BlackRock’s New Zealand
Net Zero Investment Fund on Tuesday 8 August at 10:30 am.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recommends that you:
a
Note the run sheet and background.
Noted
Peter Bartlett,
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Director, Sector Engagement
Minister of Energy and Resources
Energy and Resource Markets
04 / 08 / 2023
..... / ...... / ......
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[1]
Background
1.
You wil attend the Launch of BlackRock’s New Zealand Net Zero Investment Fund on
Tuesday 8 August 2023 at 10:30 am alongside the Prime Minister. This briefing provides
short background. Your office wil provide talking points for the event separately.
2.
The run sheet for the event is as follows:
10:25
You and the Prime Minister arrive at the venue (Meredith Connell, 8
Hardinge Street, Auckland)
10:30
Speeches by the Prime Minister, you, Andrew Landman (Head of
BlackRock Australasia) and Charlie Reid (Managing Director, Head of
APAC for the Renewable Power Group)
11:00
Media
113;0
You and the Prime Minister depart
3.
You and the Prime Minister wil also make a press release on the fund.
Background to the fund
4.
BlackRock, Inc. is an American multi-national investment company and the world's largest
asset manager, with US$10 tril ion in assets under management as of January 2022.
BlackRock’s real assets team manage $71 bil ion of client assets, working with clients to
provide solutions tailored to individual portfolio needs such as income, growth, liquid or
balanced real assets outcomes.
5.
Blackrock’s Climate Infrastructure business is one of the world’s leading climate investment
groups and currently manages $16 billion of capital, which it has invested in over 400 wind,
solar, battery and EV charging projects globally. BlackRock Climate Infrastructure has made
investments in New Zealand’s energy transition through both solarZero’s solar and battery
platform and JOLT’s EV charging network.
6.
The launch event wil announce the establishment of a New Zealand Net Zero fund. The
fund wil specifically invest in New Zealand’s energy transition, with an initial capital raise of
$2 billion NZD. The goal of the fund is to support New Zealand to become one of the first
countries in the world to reach 100% renewable electricity.
7.
You met with BlackRock’s Asia Pacific team in April, and again with BlackRock’s CEO Larry
Fink in June, to encourage them to launch the fund. Energy and Resources officials have
since been working with your office and BlackRock on the establishment of the fund.
8.
The fund will invest across the New Zealand energy transition, with a focus on solar, wind
(including offshore), green hydrogen and battery storage, as well as the enabling
infrastructure required to support these sectors. s 9(2)(b)(ii)
9.
To reach the $2 bil ion total the fund intends to crowd in capital from private and institutional
investors, 9(2)(b)(ii)
BlackRock wil also invest other global
funds into New Zealand alongside the New Zealand Net Zero fund.
10. The intention would be to raise multiple funds over time, reaching more than 10 bil ion of
aggregate capital, in order to make a meaningful contribution to the capital that New Zealand
requires to reach 100% renewables and net zero.
11. BlackRock wil also be opening an office in New Zealand to manage the fund.
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Risks
12. The fund wil look to crowd in capital from New Zealand independent crown entities and
companies9(2)(b)(ii)
Attendees
14. A number of stakeholders in the energy and investment sectors have been invited to the
launch of the fund. These include solarZero, Sir Stephen Tindall, NZ Super Fund, ACC, NZ
Green Investment Fund, ANZ Funds Management, AMP New Zealand, Ara Ake, the Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Transpower, Ngai Tahu, Waikato Tainui, Hiringa
Energy and the Business Energy Council.
Biographies
9(2)(a)
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[2]
EVENT BRIEFING
Meeting with BlackRock, solarZero and Sir Stephen Tindall
Date:
4 April 2023
Priority:
High
Security
Sensitive
Tracking
2223-3266
classification:
number:
Action sought
Action sought
Deadline
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Note the content and talking points
6 April 2023
Minister of Energy and
ahead of your meeting with
Resources
BlackRock, solarZero and Sir
Stephen Tindall
Contact for telephone discussion (if required)
Name
Position
Telephone
1st contact
Manager, Electricity Generation,
Tamara Linnhoff
s 9(2)(a)
Infrastructure and Markets Policy
Peter Bartlett
Director, Sector Engagement
✓
The following departments/agencies have been consulted
N/A
Minister’s office to complete:
Approved
Declined
Noted
Needs change
Seen
Overtaken by Events
See Minister’s Notes
Withdrawn
Comments
[2]
EVENT BRIEFING
Meeting with BlackRock, solarZero and Sir Stephen Tindall
Date:
4 April 2023
Priority:
High
Security
Sensitive
Tracking
2223-3266
classification:
number:
Purpose
To provide background and talking points head of your meeting BlackRock, solarZero and Sir
Stephen Tindall from 3:00pm to 3:45pm on Thursday 6 April 2023 in Christchurch.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment recommends that you:
a
Note the content of this briefing ahead of your meeting with BlackRock, solarZero and Sir
Stephen Tindall.
Noted
Tamara Linnhoff
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Manager, Electricity Generation,
Minister of Energy and Resources
Infrastructure and Markets Policy
Building, Resources and Markets, MBIE
..... / ...... / ......
04/04/2023
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Background
1.
You are meeting with senior representatives from BlackRock Australasia, solarZero and Sir
Stephen Tindall from 3:00pm to 3:45pm on Thursday 6 April 2023 in Christchurch. Peter
Bartlett, Director – Sector Engagement, will support you in this meeting.
2.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a proposal by BlackRock, solarZero and Sir
Stephen Tindall to establish a New Zealand net zero investment fund alongside existing
financial institutions. The parties have asked that we treat this information as commercial in
confidence and that it is not shared widely.
3.
Biographies for this meeting are provided in
Annex One, suggested talking points are
provided in
Annex Two, BlackRock’s proposal is provided in
Annex Three, and a brief
overview of relevant NZ institutional financial funds is provided in
Annex Four.
Relationship between BlackRock, solarZero and Sir Stephen Tindall
4.
BlackRock, Inc. is an American multi-national investment company and the world's largest
asset manager, with US$10 trillion in assets under management as of January 2022.
BlackRock’s real assets team manage $71 bil ion of client assets, working with clients to
provide solutions tailored to individual portfolio needs such as income, growth, liquid or
balanced real assets outcomes.
5.
In September 2022, solarZero announced its acquisition by BlackRock. BlackRock will “work
with solarZero's management team to build on the company's market -leading track record
and drive its next phase of growth, both in New Zealand and internationally”. BlackRock
plans to invest $1 billion in new solar and battery systems across New Zealand over the next
10 years.
6.
K1W1 Ltd is an investment company owned by Sir Stephen Tindall. It has invested more
than $100M Seed and Venture capital into a large number of start-up and early-stage
businesses from biotech, environmental technology, high tech, software and other high
export potential businesses. K1W1 is also an investor in solarZero.
Proposal for a Net Zero Investment Fund
7.
BlackRock’s full proposal is provided at
Annex Three of this briefing. The high-level
parameters are:
•
BlackRock would establish a Net Zero Fund in New Zealand that would invest across
the energy transition, with a focus on wind, solar, batteries, transmission, hydrogen,
natural capital1, and the enabling infrastructure required to support these sectors.
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
•
The intention would be to raise multiple funds over time in order to make a meaningful
contribution to the capital New Zealand requires to reach 100 per cent renewables and
net zero.
1 Natural resources, which includes geology, soils, air, water and all living organisms
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•
9(2)(b)(ii)
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
Issues that might need considering in any Government support
9.
In general, Energy and Resource Markets officials are supportive of attracting more
international capital into New Zealand to fund the energy transition. The challenges New
Zealand faces (e.g. the need for rapid build of renewable energy generation, high
intermittency leading to firming challenges, decarbonisation of heavy industry etc,) could be
solved faster if there was a greater level of international capital available in New Zealand
focused on establishing solutions to these challenges.
10. Further, decarbonisation technologies (such as hydrogen or synthetic aviation fuel) are near
to market but involve a “green premium” or price gap that makes them more expensive than
existing fossil fuel options. This premium makes it harder for businesses to make the
investment decisions required to transition. This can create a chicken and egg situation, as
investment or an offtake is required to scale the technology to the point where it becomes
cost competitive. A dedicated fund available for the energy transition may be of significant
value to New Zealand in supporting business to transition, as well as to build the levels of
renewable electricity generation and supporting infrastructure that we require. Other pricing
signals (such as the Emissions Trading Scheme) also have a role to play in reducing this
premium.
11. There is also some merit in the argument that solutions developed in New Zealand as we
transition to a fully net zero economy could be scaled to larger export markets in future. As
other countries in future reach the same proportion of renewable electricity that New Zealand
already has, these economies are likely to face similar challenges., meaning New Zealand
can represent an early proving ground for renewable business models.
12. In the time available, officials have not been able to fully assess whether we would
recommend the Government support this proposal. BlackRock appears to be seeking an
indication from you that this idea is worth exploring further, rather than a firm commitment of
any sort.
13. We also assess from BlackRock’s proposal that they may be unaware of the institutional
arrangements that apply to existing large sources of capital in NZ they are seeking to partner
with.
14. Some considerations that may apply are:
•
9(2)(b)(ii)
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9(2)(b)(ii)
•
Given the variety of existing funds relevant to the energy transition that are already
available, officials would provide further advice on the types of investments that it
would make the most sense for this proposed fund to focus on, to avoid overlap with
existing options and maximise the value to New Zealand.
Next steps
15. Should you wish to explore this opportunity further, following this meeting officials will need to
engage with the Treasury and other key agencies to explore what is possible, and any issues
that would need working through.
16. We recommend you ask BlackRock what they would see as next steps to take this
opportunity further, after which we can work with them to action. We can also ensure
BlackRock is connected with the relevant financial actors in New Zealand and provide a
convening function where required.
Annexes
Annex One: Biographies
Annex Two: Suggested talking points
Annex Three: Blackrock Proposal
Annex Four: Overview of relevant existing funds
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Annex One: Biographies
9(2)(a)
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9(2)(a)
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Annex Two: Suggested talking points
•
Thank you for making the time to meet with me today to discuss this exciting proposal. The
Government is fully committed to transitioning our energy system to net zero at pace, and we
know that it will take significant investment to achieve this.
•
New Zealand already has a very high proportion of renewable electricity, which can be up to
as high as 90 per cent in some weeks.
•
Despite this, know we are going to need significantly more electricity to fully decarbonise our
wider energy use through electrification and other technologies like hydrogen. Demand for
electricity is forecast to rise significantly over the coming years.
•
Our energy system will also have specific challenges that come with a fully renewable
system. This includes firming the system when generation is highly intermittent through
demand response, solving the problem of dry periods when our hydro generation is low, and
utilising green replacements for fuel, such as hydrogen in heavy transport and synthetic
aviation fuel.
•
There is an opportunity for international capital and innovation to establish proof of concept
for solutions to solve these issues here in New Zealand, before scaling to other markets.
•
Can you outline how you would see a Net Zero fund operating in New Zealand, and what sort
of Government support you are looking for?
•
What would you see as relevant next steps to further this opportunity?
•
I note that there are various financial institutions already operating in New Zealand that could
work with you to establish a fund. The Government remains largely arms-length from
directing these funds to invest in any specific way, but may be able to play a convening and
coordinating role.
•
My officials are available to work with you, and connect you to other government agencies
and investment funds, to take this opportunity forward.
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Annex Three: BlackRock Proposal
STRICTLY COMMERICAL IN CONFIDENCE
Notes for meeting between BlackRock, Sir Stephen Tindall and the Minister of Energy and
Resources, 6th April 2023
The New Zealand Net Zero Fund
● BlackRock is the world’s largest investor, with a mission to provide a better financial future
for its clients
● Blackrock’s Climate Infrastructure business is one of the world's leading climate investment
groups and currently manages $16bn of capital, which it has invested in over 400 wind,
solar, battery and EV charging projects globally
● BlackRock Climate Infrastructure has made investments in New Zealand’s energy transition
through both solarZero’s solar and battery platform and JOLT’s EV charging network
● With a renewable penetration of 85 per cent, New Zealand is operating in the future and is
aiming for 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 and net zero by 2050
● To fund this transition to 100 per cent renewables, New Zealand needs access to around
$40bn of capital, with significantly more investment required to reach net zero
● This level of capital is currently not available and the nation risks being capital constrained
in the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy
● BlackRock therefore proposes to establish a New Zealand Net Zero fund in order to assist
New Zealand in its journey to 100 per cent renewables and net zero, and to provide a
platform through which New Zealand and international investors can access what is a once
in a generation investment opportunity
● The fund would invest across the energy transition and net zero landscape, with a focus on
wind, solar, batteries, transmission, green hydrogen and natural capital, as well as the
enabling infrastructure required to support these sectors
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
● In order to seed this initiative,9(2)(b)(ii)
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
● BlackRock will also invest other global funds into New Zealand alongside the New Zealand
Net Zero fund
● The9(2)(b)(ii)
will provide immediate funding to urgent, high quality investment opportunities in New
Zealand
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● The intention would be to raise multiple funds over time in order to make a meaningful
contribution to the capital that New Zealand requires to reach 100 per cent renewables and
net zero
Why should the government be interested in this proposal?
○ The fund wil help enable and accelerate New Zealand’s transition to 100 per cent
renewables and net zero
○ The initiative firmly places New Zealand at the forefront of the decarbonization
agenda globally, with New Zealand having the potential to be the first country in the
world to reach 100 per cent renewables and net zero
○ The fund will assist existing industry through the transition and will also attract new
industry which will be attracted to New Zealand as a destination that can guarantee
100 per cent renewable energy
s 9(2)(b)(ii)
○ The fund will provide a vehicle for New Zealand investors to capture the compelling
climate infrastructure investment opportunities created by the energy transition and
the journey to net zero
○ The fund wil help develop New Zealand’s climate finance ecosystem and wil also
have a range of direct social impacts, including carbon emission reduction and high-
skil ed job creation in industries that the nation’s future economy needs to thrive
○ The fund will also continue to make energy more affordable for all New Zealanders
○ The fund enables investment at the scale that is needed in a highly targeted way
and enables existing funds to be leveraged many times over
○ 9(2)(b)(ii)
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9(2)(b)(ii)
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9(2)(b)(ii)
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9(2)(b)(ii)
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IN CONFIDENCE
Energy and Resources
Weekly Report
To Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Energy and Resources
Week beginning Monday, 3 April 2023
MBIE-MAKO-139387480
1
[3]
Upcoming Briefings & Meetings
Upcoming Briefings & Cabinet Papers
Subject
Comment
Due date
Contact
Event briefing:
This briefing wil provide you with
Tuesday,
Peter Bartlett,
Blackrock
background and talking points for
4 April 2023
Tamara Linnhoff
Representatives
your meeting with Blackrock
Andrew Booth - Solar Representatives and Solar Zero
Zero and Stephen
Tindall
Out of scope
MBIE-MAKO-139387480
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[3]
Upcoming Meetings
Meeting Information
Time
Officials Attending
Out of scope
Thursday, 6 April 2023
Meeting with Blackrock
3.00pm – 3.45pm
Peter Bartlett
Representatives Andrew Booth – Solar
Zero and Stephen Tindall
MBIE-MAKO-139387480
16
Document Outline
- EVENT BRIEFING
- New Bookmark
- Purpose
- Recommendations
- Background
- Background to the fund
- Risks
- Attendees
- Biographies
- Upcoming outages and planned maintenance
- Slide Number 1
- New Zealand Net ZeroPotential TimelineWe will work on finalising the optimal structure and will finalise the pathway – an indicative workflow is as follows:
- New Zealand Net ZeroBlackRock is planning to stagger fundraising in a systematic manner
- New Zealand Net ZeroBlackRock has experience in leveraging sovereign seed capital to activate private capital
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- Slide Number 2
- Slide Number 3
- Slide Number 4
- Slide Number 5
- Slide Number 6
- Slide Number 7
- Slide Number 8
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- New Zealand Net ZeroPotential TimelineWe will work on finalising the optimal structure and will finalise the pathway – an indicative workflow is as follows:
- New Zealand Net ZeroBlackRock is planning to stagger fundraising in a systematic manner
- New Zealand Net ZeroBlackRock has experience in leveraging sovereign seed capital to activate private capital
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- Slide Number 2
- Slide Number 3
- Slide Number 4
- Slide Number 5
- Slide Number 6
- Slide Number 7
- Slide Number 8
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- Net Zero & Transition Context
- We believe that the biggest opportunity in alternatives will be the intersection of infrastructure and sustainability
- The global energy transition can be the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime…
- Slide Number 5
- Slide Number 6
- BlackRock Climate Infrastructure
- Slide Number 8
- Slide Number 9
- BlackRock Climate Infrastructure – GRP III APAC Investment Portfolio
- Slide Number 11
- The Waratah Super BatteryThe World’s Largest Battery
- New Zealand Net Zero Fund
- Slide Number 14
- Capital FormationFocus on amplifying seed capital from the NZ government by raising private capital from superannuation and wealth, both domestically and internationally
- Slide Number 16
- Prospective New Zealand Net Zero Social Impact
- Proposed New Zealand Net Zero (“NZ2”): Summary of Draft Terms
- A pure play, climate infrastructure strategy
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- New Zealand Net ZeroPotential TimelineWe will work on finalising the optimal structure and will finalise the pathway – an indicative workflow is as follows:
- New Zealand Net ZeroBlackRock is planning to stagger fundraising in a systematic manner
- New Zealand Net ZeroBlackRock has experience in leveraging sovereign seed capital to activate private capital
- Important Information
- Slide Number 1
- Slide Number 2
- Slide Number 3
- Slide Number 4
- Slide Number 5
- Slide Number 6
- Slide Number 7
- Slide Number 8
- Important Information