Waverley Wind Farm
When Trustpower sought resource consent to build a 48 turbine 130MW wind farm in South Taranaki in 2017 NZWEA was there in support.
The wind farm is forecast to cost $325m to build and generate 490GWh of electricity a year which, based on average residential consumption, would produce the same amount of electricity as used by over 65,000 homes.
In the Association's submission we highlighted the economic benefits to the region through the construction and operation of the wind farm and the long term benefits to the country's electricity prices and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
NZWEA also highlighted that the proposed wind farm is entirely consistent with the Government's strategic target as outlined in the New Zealand Energy Strategy and National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation that 90% of electricity generated in New Zealand should be derived from renewable sources by 2025.
The proposed wind farm is in a great location to provide renewable electricity to meet growing demand and displace existing thermal generation with its high level of carbon emissions. The wind farm could avoid 337,400 tonnes of C02 per year if this electricity were to be generated from a coal-fired plant or 196,800 tonnes in avoided gas fire generation.
The NZWEA has submitted in support of the wind farm. In its submission the Association highlighted the economic benefits to the region through the construction and operation of the wind farm and the long term benefits to the country’s electricity prices and greenhouse gas emissions reduction
NZWEA’s submission can be viewed here
The consent was obtained in late 2017. Further details here