TrustPower plans new 120 MW wind farm

Electricity generator and retailer TrustPower has announced plans to build a 120 megawatt (MW) wind farm in the Tararua ranges.

Chief executive Keith Tempest said in a statement he was hopeful the $220 million wind farm would be operational before the winter of 2006.

Trustpower has lodged a resource consent application with the Palmerston North City and Tararua District Councils for a wind farm consisting of 40 turbines, each delivering 3MW, and capable of producing enough power for 52,000 homes.

TrustPower's existing Tararua wind farm, which was built in 1999 and doubled in size this year, already produces enough power for 32,000 homes.

Mr Tempest said new technology meant less turbines were needed to produce the power. He said only a year ago, TrustPower would have been looking to install at least 70 turbines to achieve the same performance, and five years ago would have required more than 160.

The construction of the project will inject an estimated $70 million into the local economy, and once complete the new wind farm will employ a further team of seven full-time technical staff.

Mr Tempest said if a resource consent was granted in the first quarter of next year the new wind farm could be operational by the winter of 2006.

"That will take New Zealand another step toward adding much needed additional electricity supply and targets for sustainable electricity generation, while at the same time off-setting some 260,000 tonnes per annum of CO2 emissions, helpful in meeting Kyoto targets," he said.

Shares in Trustpower were up 1c at $5.45 in early trading this morning, having ranged between $3.10 and $6.00 over the past 12 months.

Meanwhile the Dominion Post reported today a new geothermal power station to be built near Taupo by the privately owned Geotherm Group has been granted resource consents. The newspaper said the 60MW plant was expected to cost $250m to $300m. Construction was set to begin in February and take two years to complete.

- NZPA