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State-owned Meridian Energy has opened a 58MW wind farm in northern Southland.
The White Hill wind farm, which Meridian says is the South Island's first, overlooks the town of Mossburn. White Hill consists of 29 two-megawatt turbines and will produce enough electricity to supply about 30,000 households.
Meridian is also working on a 630MW wind farm proposal dubbed Project Hayes in Central Otago, and a 210-250MW tunnel-based hydro concept for the north bank of the lower Waitaki River, for which water consents have been lodged.
