Wind Power News: New Zealand
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Wind farm plan under attack
More than two-thirds of submissions on the Mt Munro wind farm resource consent application are opposed to the project, including local iwi, Fish & Game New Zealand and New Pacific Studio. The 20-turbine wind farm, proposed for a ridgeline between Pukaha Mt Bruce and Eketahuna, would generate electricity for 31,000 homes. Of the 58 applications received, 40 oppose it, 11 support it and seven are neutral. Horizons Regional Council, which is co-ordinating the resource consent process on behalf of four . . .
Lobbyists wind up for court hearing
Ex-All Black Graeme Higginson is on a crusade to have the public voice heard in Meridian Energy’s bid to fasttrack its Project Hurunui Wind proposal. It comes after the Hurunui District and Canterbury Regional councils agreed to a request by Meridian Energy in June last year to refer its resource consent process directly to the Environment Court. This means it will be the first such case nationally to be heard by direct referral under the amended Resource Management Act (2009). . . .
Energy firms defer big wind-farm projects
New Zealand’s largest energy companies are pushing back plans for wind farms, with some predicting it could be a decade before significant projects are built. Flat demand for electricity and improving expertise in geothermal generation is stalling developments, despite falling prices for turbines from European manufacturers as the dollar trades near record levels against the euro. Genesis Energy, which is awaiting the outcome of a resource consent hearing for the giant Castle Hill wind farm in Wairarapa, said last week . . .
Castle Hill still in pipeline
Genesis Energy has denied reports that the Castle Hill wind farm is unlikely to be built in the next five years. Last week chief executive Albert Brantley was reported as saying the company was unlikely to build any new generation projects for years, and there was no guarantee Castle Hill would be the next one built. But public affairs manager Richard Gordon said they were keeping options open. “The strategy is to have a range of development options to give . . .
Castle Hill wind farm unlikely soon
The massive Castle Hill wind farm proposed for northern Wairarapa is unlikely to be built for at least five years because of a lack of electricity demand, the project’s owner, Genesis Energy, says. Resource consent hearings for the giant wind farm, which could power up to 370,000 homes, began in November and ended last month. In January, Genesis said that if it were granted consent for the 286 turbines, each up to 155 metres tall, it would contribute $750,000 to . . .
Fury at Mt Munro wind farm ‘eyesore’
North Wairarapa residents say they are insulted by Meridian Energy’s suggestion that the land on which it proposes to build a 20-turbine wind farm is “unremarkable” and will not be affected. The newly formed Hastwell Waiwaka Landscape Protection Group, made up of about 26 residents living within 3km of the planned Mt Munro wind farm, is challenging the power company’s resource consent application. The group’s key objections are the visual impact on the landscape and the potential effect on the . . .
Iwi split on wind farm proposal
Not everybody was agreed on the proposal to build a wind farm northwest of Bluff after a resource consent hearing started in Invercargill yesterday. Flat Hill Wind Farm director Warren McNabb is seeking resource consent for eight turbines to be set across about five hectares of land on a 477ha deer farm owned by Graham Laidlaw. The turbines would be 81 metres high, with a 55m tower, and a 26m-high blade, Mr McNabb said. The wind farm would take five . . .
Wind farm on hold
Mighty River Power has confirmed that Cape Campbell near Ward is an excellent site for wind power generation, but the economics for building a wind farm will not stack up in the foreseeable future. This was the impression farmer Kevin Loe, of The Homestead, got as part of a groupof eight Cape Campbell landowners invited to Taupoby Mighty River Power lastweek. The landowners live on properties where the electricity generation and retail company is researching the potential for wind farms. . . .
Meridian focussing on two potential windfarms
Meridian Energy says conditions are right for developing a new wind farm, but it’s considering its next move carefully. Chief executive Mark Binns says the company has a number of possible generation projects in the pipeline, but it is particularly focussing on two potential windfarms. The first is Central Wind – a 120 megawatt, 52 turbine wind farm in the central North Island – and the second is Mill Creek – a 60 megawatt, 26 turbine windfarm north of Wellington, . . .
Winds of Wairarapa change fan debate
Protest and applause has gathered pace online about the proposed construction of energy company wind farms in Wairarapa. Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy are each seeking resource consent to build wind farms; a 20-turbine operation near Eketahuna and a massive $1.68 billion complex that would straddle the north of the valley with 268 turbines respectively. Each company has by turn drawn fire and defenders with their plans to harness world-class Wairarapa wind for power and profit. brian4920, of Woodville, was . . .
