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Contact Energy has filed resource consent applications for its Hauauru ma raki wind farm near Port Waikato.
The project is expected to cost more than $1 billion on around 17,000 hectares of isolated farmland to the south of Port Waikato. The wind farm will produce up to 540 megawatts, enough renewable electricity to power up to 200,000 average houses.
The Port Waikato farm will be built in stages, with the first electricity expected in 2012 or 2013 and completion three years later.
The applications were filed with Environment Waikato, the Franklin District Council and the Waikato District Council.
Contact says the project's construction is likely to inject about $150 million into the local economy.
