KEY POINTS:
Genesis Energy says the gas-fired power station it plans for Rodney will support - rather than muscle out - local efforts to foster renewable energy supply options such as wind, tidal, wave and solar generation.
The state-owned generator wants to build a nominal 480MW station between Helensville and Kaukapakapa and has come under attack for choosing to burn a non-renewable fuel emitting carbon dioxide.
Yesterday, the firm defended its choice at a hearing of its bid for resource consents and planning instruments from the Rodney District and Auckland Regional Councils.
"The appropriate solution to provide the quantity and controllable type of generation capacity required by the region north of Auckland is a gas-fired power station," said Bob Weir, the company's general manager of production.
He noted two proposals - neither of them Genesis projects - for wind generation in South Kaipara: the 34MW Poutoa Wind Farm proposal and another where discussions with landowners over a potential site continued.
Both projects were in the early stages of planning and investigation, said Mr Weir.
He also knew of proposed wind generation projects promising several hundred megawatts, to the north of the Kaipara Harbour using areas in Pouto Forest, Redhill, Omamari and Ahipara.
But he said about 1070MW of wind farm capacity would be needed to equal the Rodney Power Station's steady output.
"It would not preclude other electricity generation developments in the region or the growth of energy efficiency initiatives," said Mr Weir.
"It would also support and supplement the intermittent supply of electricity from future renewable supply options such as wind or possibly tidal power."
Mr Weir said the station would not affect Crest Energy's 200MW tidal generation proposal in the Kaipara Harbour.
The plan had resource consents granted, allowing the staged development of tidal generators, starting with 20MW capacity. But they were under appeal by tangata whenua.
He said the Rodney power station would efficiently burn gas and be close to the electricity demand load, to minimise transmission loss.
The station had support from major electricity users New Zealand Refining (the oil refinery) and Golden Bay Cement, as well as Northland Regional Council.
Genesis said its first stage of 240MW capacity could be operational about 30 months after project confirmation. The timing for building up to 480MW would depend on many factors and it sought a 10-year lapse period for consents to recognise that.
The hearing's six commissioners expect to hear about 50 witnesses over 11 days.
RODNEY PROPOSAL
Who: Genesis Energy.
Why: 480MW of power.
How: Natural gas-fired.
Where: SH16, Helensville-Kaukapakapa.
Needs: Zone change, resource consents.
