Todd Energy is to spend $65 million building a liquefied petroleum gas plant in Taranaki.
Todd says the plant, at its McKee site near New Plymouth, should be built within 12 months. Spokesperson Cressida Gates says construction will create more than 200,000 hours of work, mostly for Taranaki businesses.
LPG from the plant will be sold throughout New Zealand by Todd's retail company, Nova, for use in barbecues, heaters and cookers.
Todd says that projected production of 27,000 tonnes a year will help reduce New Zealand's dependence on imported LPG. All resource consents have been signed off, it says, and it is negotiating with potential contractors.
New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent says the announcement is good news for Taranaki.
