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Consented wind farms

Once a developer has thoroughly investigated a potential wind farm site, they may apply for resource consent.

Not all projects with a consent will be built. Many consented projects are currently on hold as the developer waits for market conditions and demand for renewable electricity to increase to make the wind farm commercially viable.

As a wind farm consent ages, it may need to be varied to take advantage of advancements in wind turbine technology. For example, the consent build envelope may not provide for newer model turbines that are available and in this situation the consent holder would need to apply for a consent variation.  A consent variation would involve an assessment of the scale of effects limited to the change requested.

The Association notes that the rapid improvement in wind turbine technology, including the increase in wind turbine rotor diameter, has seen an increase in turbine annual energy production by over 50% since 2010. We consider that for a number of existing consents the wind farm owner would achieve an improved commercial return from a successful consent variation.

In addition, some consented wind farms will require a further consent to build transmission infrastructure to enable development.

The following table lists projects that developers have wind farm consents for but have not begun construction.

 

Site

 

Developer

 

Region

 Capacity (MW) RMA Application publicly notified
Consent Expiry Date
Mahinerangi
(Stage 2)
 Mercury NZ  Clutha 164   November 2009 Unknown
 Castle Hill  Genesis Energy  Northern Wairarapa  300 August 2011   2031 
 Puketoi Mercury NZ Tararua District 228   2012  2031 
Kapuni   Hiringa & Balance   Taranaki  24    2021   2031 
Mt Cass  MainPower Hurunui 95    June 2008 2025 
 Kaiwaikawe  Mercury NZ  Dargaville   73  2018 2024
Kaiwera Downs (Stage 2) 
Mercury NZ
Gore
197
 2007 2024
Taumatatotara Ventus Waikato 32 Unknown 2024