KEY POINTS:
TrustPower has been given the all-clear for its hydro scheme in Marlborough's Wairau Valley - six years after the plan was first mooted.
The Marlborough District Council has told TrustPower that it has been granted full resource consent to build its $275 million, 72MW scheme.
The scheme will divert water from Wairau River into six power stations, including the existing Branch River hydro scheme, returning it to the river 50km downstream.
It follows interim consents issued in June last year after six months of hearings by independent commissioners, and a subsequent hearing to ensure minimal adverse environmental impacts.
Chief executive Keith Tempest said the council's decision has justified the time, effort and expense the company has put into the proposal since it was mooted in 2002.
"The proposed scheme will provide direct benefits to upper South Island communities and indirect benefits to the rest of New Zealand through the freeing up of electricity currently imported into that region for more efficient use elsewhere."
Only 15 per cent of the Marlborough region's power is generated locally. TrustPower says once operational, the Wairau scheme will generate around 85 per cent of the region's electricity needs.
The scheme is one of a dozen sustainable power projects that are either on the drawing board or have planning approval. They will generate close to 2700MW but are not due to be completed until early next decade.
ENERGY SURGE
Some of the large generation projects on the cards:
* Kaipara Harbour: Crest Energy, tidal, 200MW (awaiting consent)
* Kaipara: Genesis Energy, gas, 360MW (application stage)
* Hauauru ma raki: Contact Energy, wind, 650MW (application stage)
* Te Mihi Stage 1 and 2: Contact Energy, geothermal, 247MW (application stage)
* Te Pohue Wind Farm: Hawkes Bay Wind Farm, wind 225MW (consented)
* Project Hayes: Meridian Energy, wind, 630MW (consented)
* Mahinerangi: TrustPower, wind, 200MW (consented)
* Kaiwera Downs: TrustPower, wind, 240MW (consented)
