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Wind Power News: New Zealand
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Proposed wind farm project sparks concerns in Waiuku community
A controversial proposal for an 18-turbine wind farm in the pristine farmland close to Karioitahi beach has ignited a fierce battle within the local community. The project, which has been granted fast-track clearance by the government without consultation or input from the wider community, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the environment, local residents, and the tourism industry. The towering turbines, measuring an impressive 190 metres in height, have drawn comparisons to well-known world landmarks such as the . . . Complete story »
Wind farms could surround a Tararua community
Residents on the Tararua side of the Pahīatua Track are facing the prospect of living between two wind farms. To the west, their properties are overshadowed by Mercury’s Turitea North turbines standing up to 125 metres tall above the Tararua ridgeline about 2km away. And now, Yinson Renewables and project managers Aurecon are proposing putting up 11 even taller turbines closer to their homes. Software engineer Gareth Bestow, who lives on Makomako Rd, the main route from Palmerston North to . . . Complete story »
Wind farm drop-in meetings pointless, resident says
Holding a community drop-in about the proposed Southland wind farm is a waste of time, Tuturau resident Dave Kowalewski says. This week, Contact Energy staff met with Wyndham district community members about the proposed $700 million wind farm near Slopedown. It was the second community drop-in event where residents were able to view plans for the wind farm and chat to staff. The project has received fast track consenting process approval from former minister of the environment David Parker. When . . . Complete story »
Wind farm proposed near Taharoa
An 11 turbine wind farm has been proposed for a site about 6km south of Taharoa on the Waikato’s west coast. The application by Ventus Energy to consent the wind farm has been received by the Waitomo District council and is itself a variation upon an earlier granted consent. Ventus, originally an Irish company with operations in New Zealand since 2004, has constructed wind farms in Scotland and in County Clare on the Irish west coast. The wind farm will . . . Complete story »
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 »
