Menu

Project Mill Creek Wind Farm

Mill Creek shares West Wind's geography and wind resource. The windfarm was completed in November 2014 and it is expected to slightly outperform West Wind, with a predicted capacity factor of 45% compared to West Wind's 43%.

The 60MW wind farm has 26 Siemen's 2.3 MW turbines and produces enough electricity each year to, on average, power around 34,000 New Zealand homes.

The project cost $169 million and took 30 months to construct. Higgins was the lead civil contractor, as they were for West Wind in 2009.

The wind farm is located on privately owned farms. The landowners say they have chosen wind farming as their preferred way of supporting the ongoing viability of their farms – over other options such as housing subdivision and forestry – because it will preserve the lifestyle and rural character of the area.

Consenting

Meridian submitted its application to Wellington City Council in February 2008. The council's consent hearing concluded in September 2008. The council granted consent to the project in February 2009. This consent was appealed to the Environment Court by several parties, including Meridian.

In August 2011, the Environment Court issued its decision to uphold Wellington City Council's decision to grant resource consent.

More information

Project information and consent application on Meridian Energy's website

Location

To see the site of the wind farm, change the view to satellite and zoom in.