Wind farm given the go ahead

Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Contact Energy says the Environment Court has granted all the consents and turbine locations the company sought for its proposed Waitahora wind development in southern Hawke's Bay.

The parties had been asked to prepare a final set of conditions for court approval by December 17, Contact said today.

The proposed project in the Puketoi Range, southeast of Dannevirke, would generate enough electricity for up to 70,000 average homes.

The wind resource on the Puketoi Range was world class and the decision of the court confirmed that the relatively remote site was ideal for a wind farm in nearly every respect, Contact said.

On its website, the company said commissioners had initially declined the application in April last year.

"Contact has significantly refined the project to further reduce environmental effects and address many of the concerns of the local residents. For example, there will be significantly less traffic on some roads and the visual and amenity effects have been reduced by removing several turbines."

Up to 58 wind turbines were proposed, the company said.

- NZPA