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Wind Power News: New Zealand
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Wind farm developer heads to court to fight “significant legal errors” in project rejection
New Zealand gentailer Contact Energy is alleging the rejection of its 300 megawatt (MW) wind farm proposal in the South Island made seven legal mistakes, and is preparing to reapply for development approval this week. An expert Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) panel rejected the Southland wind farm in mid-March, on the grounds that it may harm wetlands and several endangered species, and didn’t meet local planning rules. The energy company issued a furious response and on Friday lodged an appeal . . . Complete story »
Contact to fight wind farm decision
Contact Energy is vowing to fight on – even if it means spending another $10 million – to get its rejected wind farm over the line. On Tuesday, Contact Energy announced an independent panel had rejected its application for fasttrack consent for the $1 billion Southland Wind Farm project. Among the concerns the panel cited in rejecting the proposal was the possibility native bats could be killed by flying into the turbine blades. The 55-turbine wind farm, on a remote but prominent . . . Complete story »
Consent for Southland Wind Farm declined due to potential impact on local environment
A consent for a Southland wind farm has been declined due to the potential impact on the local flora and fauna. Contact Energy had applied to build the Southland Wind Farm on land near Wyndham in Southland. The Environmental Protection Authority has released the decision by an independent panel. The panel said the project would have had significant economic and social benefits, but it was not satisfied that the adverse effects could be offset or compensated for. It said some . . . Complete story »
Developer dismisses community concerns
Contact Energy has hit back about comments on its planned wind farm in Southland, saying it vehemently disagrees the project is causing “insurmountable difficulties”, pointing to what it describes as a game-changing package of environmental measures, and boosting a community fund to nearly $4 million. The planned 55-turbine wind farm at Slopedown near Wyndham is part of the fast-track legislation process and a decision is due from the hearing panel this week. In a minute produced by the panel last . . . Complete story »
Waiuku Wind Farm declined fast-track consent
An independent panel has declined resource consent for a wind farm in Waiuku, Franklin. LET Capital Number 3 Limited applied for resource consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. The project would have involved constructing and operating a wind farm with 13 wind turbine generators to supply electricity to the national grid. The decision comes 154 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority. The Environmental Protection Authority is not involved in the decision-making. . . . Complete story »
Wind farm fast-track bid paused due to opposition
The intensity of opposition to an up to $1 billion Southland wind farm has prompted Contact Energy to pause its fast-track application for the project. In line with fast-track consent legislation, affected parties were last month invited to provide comment to a panel assessing Contact’s plans for the up to 55-turbine, 5500ha project at Slopedown, east of Wyndham. Comments were published this week, including an immediate response from Contact requesting the consent process be paused so it could “address some . . . Complete story »
Dreading life among turbines
Frustration is mounting in a small Tararua community just over the hill from Palmerston North about the prospect of being surrounded by wind farms. International energy company Yinsen and its agents Aurecon have provided brief, updated plans for the Pahīatua wind farm on Makomako Rd. Although there have been changes since draft plans were first unveiled at a community drop-in session in October, resident Gareth Bestor said they simply made the situation “less worse” for some, and “more worse” for . . . Complete story »
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 »
