Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the establishment of a $27 million clean energy centre in Taranaki.

Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

Ms Ardern told about 500 delegates at Just Transition Summit in New Plymouth this morning that the centre would create new opportunities in Taranaki and help lead the country's transition to a low-carbon economy.

"The National New Energy Development centre will help create new business and jobs in Taranaki while helping New Zealand move towards clean, affordable, renewable energy and away from fossil fuels," Ms Ardern said.

"The centre will look at the full range of emerging clean energy options such as offshore wind, solar batteries, hydrogen and new forms of energy storage."

Ms Adern said the changing required New Zealand to face the longer challenge of sustainably powering the economy over the next 30 years.

She said it was no conincidence the Just Transition Summit was being held in New Plymouth.

"For decades, Taranaki has been our top energy producing region and now, in the 21st century, the region can be a leader in clean energy as well.

"It's well known that local businesses and workers already have the skills, experience and international links to support new developments in clean energy technology and infrastructure."

As well as $27 million to set up the centre in Taranaki, $20m will be spent over four years to establish a new science research fund for energy technology, looking into the likes of organic photovoltaics, super conductors, nanotechnologies and inductive power.

The initiatives are part of a Wellbeing Budget package focused on research under the priority of creating opportunities for businesses, regions, iwi and others to transition to a sustainable and low emissions economy.