Meridian adopts 'green' tactic in windfarm battle

Meridian Energy is asking for public help in its plan to build one of the world's biggest windfarms on the Wellington coast.

Adopting a tried and true tactic of environmental activists, the state-owned energy company has suggested windfarm supporters fill out one of its custom-made submission forms and post it into local authorities.

Resource consent applications for the windfarm named "Project West Wind" have been notified by the Wellington City and Greater Wellington Regional Councils.

The scheme is for a 210 MW project on the Makara hills west of Wellington - a site opposed by residents.

With 70 turbines installed over a 55sq km area, it would produce up to 850 GWH of energy per year, enough electricity to power all the homes in Wellington City, Lower Hutt and Porirua.

Meridian says it will be one of the most productive windfarms in the world.

"Often it is only those who oppose developments who bother to put in submissions on resource consent applications and this can give a false view of how the project is viewed in the community," said wind development manager Adam Muldoon.

The form provided on the Meridian website proffers some viewpoints for wind proponents to note, including the need for a secure energy supply for Wellington.

"The site has limited ecological values," it says. "The windfarm will not cause any significant bird strike issues," and "it is likely to become a tourist attraction in its own right".

While Meridian is encouraging supporters to make their views known, it is not laying out the welcome mat for their voices to be heard - a box saying "I/we do not wish to speak in support of the application" has already been ticked for them.