Waitahora Wind Farm

The Waitahora wind farm is a renewable energy project in New Zealand planned by Contact Energy. This development is proposed to be located on the Puketoi range which forms one side of the picturesque Waitahoa Valley, near Dannevirke in Southern Hawke’s Bay.

The consent application for this project was filed in September 2008. It is planned for up to 65 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 177 MW. The proposed towers are to be up to 100m high. [cite web
title = Waitahora Wind Farm Development Information for interested parties
publisher = Contact Energy
url = http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/pdf/environmental/Waitahora_wind_farm.pdf
accessdate = 2008-09-11] This windfarm is opposed by a large proportion of local residents [ [http://www.freewebs.com/waitahorapuketoiguardians/index.htm Waitohora Puketoi Guardians] ] . This windfarm requires Resource Management approval, a consultation process run by local government. Submission forms are available on the district council website [http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/pdf/Forms/Form%2013%20Submission.pdf (TDC submission form)] Submissions close at 5pm (0 hrs UTC) on the 30th of October. Copies of submissions are also required to be provided to the applicant at: Contact Energy Limited, P.O. Box 10742, Wellington.

Related Issues

There are several other industrial wind farm developments planned for the district, these are yet to be officially notified however four power companies are attempting to change the district plan in their favour [http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/pdf/Summary%20of%20Submissions.pdf Council submissions summary] ] . They want to have all rural area classed as industrial and for wind farms to be seen as a key part of rural lifestyle. They also want to have the Puketoi ranges removed from the list of outstanding natural features [http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/pdf/Summary%20of%20Submissions.pdf] ] . This is to make it easier to get local government approval for wind energy developments. The councils neutral stance has meant the public have not been made aware of the impending changes to the district plan. Also the power companies involved have not publicised their attempts to change the district plan. [ [http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4703923a6502.html See newspaper article.] ] Counter submissions on the proposed District Plan closed on 3 October 2008.

See also

*Wind power in New Zealand
*Electricity sector in New Zealand

References

External links

* [http://www.freewebs.com/waitahorapuketoiguardians/index.htm Waitahora-Puketoi Guardians]
* [http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/view?page=/contentiw/pages/ourprojects/waitohorawindfarm&vert=pr Contact Energy] - Waitahora Wind Farm information page
* [http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/ Council web site]