Turbines imminent
The Puketoi ranges are a step closer to sporting wind turbines, with Contact Energy lodging a resource consent application for its Waitahora farm at the Tararua District Council yesterday.
In a press statement, Contact Energy Chief Executive David Baldwin said the site was chosen because it was very remote, minimising visual impact, and was a good wind resource.
“This is a very good wind farm project that will provide clean, renewable energy for current and future generations, as well as local benefit for the area.”
Plans for the $500 million, 177-megawatt wind farm on the remote Puketoi ranges, east of Pahiatua, were announced two weeks ago.
Since then, a local opposition group has formed to protest against the planned farm, saying the turbines will destroy the area’s natural beauty and set a dangerous precedent.
Sixteen studies by Contact Energy, submitted as part of the resource consent, have been undertaken to explore impacts on local ecosystems, visual and noise effects, and economic benefits.
These can be found online at www.contactenergy.co.nz/waitahorawind.
By Michelle Duff
2 September 2008
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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