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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Talks ramp up around Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore
A wind farm project near Gore, that’s been in the pipeline for close to 15 years, is understood to be closing in on becoming a reality. Mercury Energy confirmed on Wednesday that it was currently talking with community and other stakeholders about the Kaiwera Downs wind farm project about 6km from Gore. Although when asked if it has been confirmed that the development will go ahead this year a Mercury Energy spokesperson said it was too early to comment on . . . Complete story »
Caution needed in the rush to embrace wind farm solutions to climate change
As climate breakdown and the need to get off fossil fuels intensify, so too is the push for renewable energies. A recent story on how Taranaki’s wind could solve the country’s energy crisis painted an enticing future. Yet caution is needed. Firstly, there’s a difference between solving the country’s energy crisis and climate change. Building hundreds of offshore wind turbines may address some of Aotearoa’s energy problems, but it won’t necessarily reduce total emissions to a meaningful level or in . . . Complete story »
Huge road improvements needed to access Turitea wind farm
A Palmerston North track at the top of the Turitea Reserve is being transformed into a road capable of carrying trucks towing 55-metre-long turbine blades. Mercury’s contractors are building the route to the southern, 27-turbine section of its Turitea wind farm on the Tararua Ranges. While early construction traffic is using winding Kahuterawa and Greens roads to access the site, the tower components and blades need a different route from the north. Project manager Glen Twining told a community liaison . . . Complete story »
Iwi appeal decision to grant consent for giant wind turbines in South Taranaki
A Taranaki iwi is taking its opposition to the proposed construction of four massive wind turbines in its rohe to the High Court. Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust has, along with Greenpeace, filed notice to appeal the December 2021 decision of an independent expert panel to grant resource consent enabling a renewable wind energy facility, associated with a $70 million green hydrogen project, to be set up in South Taranaki. Hiringa Energy Limited and Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited applied under a . . . Complete story »
Fast-track wind farm upgrade tilted for Tararua skyline
The Tararua skyline above Palmerston North is being measured up for more giant wind turbines. NZ Windfarms is planning to repower the Te Rere Hau wind farm, replacing its 92 35-metre tall twin-bladed turbines with three-bladed turbines standing up to four times the height. The company has applied for fast-track consents under the Covid-19 recovery legislations. Environment Minister David Parker has signed off the application, which will need Cabinet approval. If granted, the company will be able to apply to the . . . Complete story »
Disputed access to Manawatū wind farm goes straight to court
Objections to increased volumes of construction traffic using narrow, winding Palmerston North roads to access the Turitea Wind Farm are being sent directly to the Environment Court. Wind farm owners Mercury want a variation to resource consent conditions to enable 300 trucks a day to use Kahuterawa Rd and Greens Rd to access the southern section of the wind farm. Faced with three-quarters of the 40 submitters opposing having more trucks on the roads, Mercury asked if it could skip . . . Complete story »
Use of winding road to wind farm opposed by Palmerston North residents
Turitea wind farm owner Mercury has struck a wall of opposition against its plans to move about 300 trucks a day, up and down two steep, narrow and winding Palmerston North roads. Mercury has applied to the Palmerston North City Council for changes to the conditions of its resource consent to carry more construction traffic on Kahuterawa Rd and Greens Rd to the southern section of the wind farm. But local residents have made 29 submissions that the proposals are . . . Complete story »
Brooklyn wind turbine still out of action, seven months after electrical fault discovered
Seven months after an electrical fault was discovered, the Brooklyn wind turbine is still out of action, the root of the problem unknown. The turbine was built to harness Wellington’s notorious wind, but it was cold, damp weather that put it out of action. The 67-metre tall landmark’s blades haven’t turned since June, when it was taken out of service for maintenance. Meridian Energy spokeswoman Rheilli Uluilelata said there had been no further progress. “We are still investigating the electrical . . . Complete story »
Wind in the wires an unexpected glitch for generator
Work resumes at Mercury’s $465 million Turitea Wind Farm on Wednesday with activity moving to the southern, second stage of the development. The site on the Tararua Range above Palmerston North has been closed since before Christmas, apart from security and environmental checks. The northern section of 33-turbines was virtually complete, with sediment control ponds being removed and the landscape reinstated. But while that part of the project was running smoothly, the southern section, which will include 27 turbines, is . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines reaching 206m tall proposed for Taranaki site as part of $70m green hydrogen project
The tallest wind turbines in the country could soon be built on the Taranaki ring plain as part of a world-leading $70 million “green” hydrogen project. The turbines would generate electricity to produce “green” hydrogen that would be turned into fertiliser and used to fuel heavy vehicles. Green hydrogen is a term for hydrogen produced using electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro. The Hiringa Energy Limited and Ballance Agri-Nutrients’ green hydrogen hub at Kapuni could . . . Complete story »
