Meridian Energy is proposing to construct a wind farm between Omihi and Greta Valley in North Canterbury. The Environment Court granted consent for the project in April 2013. The proposed wind farm could have up to 31 turbines.

Meridian Energy has consent to construct a wind farm between Omihi and Greta Valley in North Canterbury, 60kn north of Christchurch. The Environment Court granted consent for the project in April 2013 for a 10-year period. The proposed wind farm could have up to 31 turbines and generate up to 70MW.

Electricity security is an ongoing issue for the upper South Island, with only 137 MW of installed capacity, a peak demand of 1,000 MW and limited transmission capacity from further south.

If constructed, Project Hurunui would provide the upper South Island with additional local generation, on an annual basis producing the same amount of electricity as used by about 33,000 homes. This is equivalent to the number of homes in Nelson and Blenheim combined.

At Meridian's request, the resource consent application was directly referred to the Environment Court.

More information

Project information on Meridian Energy’s website

Environment Court decision on the Hurunui District Council website

Location

To see where the wind farm would be sited, change the view to satellite and zoom in.