| THE Te Rere Hau wind farm near Palmerston North (north island of New Zealand) is unlikely to go beyond 97 turbines in the medium term, despite the granting of a resource consent for a 56-turbine extension.Commissioners for Horizons Regional Council and Tararua District Council ruled an extension on the eastern side of the Tararua Range should be permitted.The decision should allow New Zealand Windfarms to improve the economics of running the farm.New Zealand Windfarms already had consent for 97 turbines on the Palmerston North side of the Tararua Range, but put up only 65.Unless the hearing decision is overturned on appeal, the company will be able to use 32 turbines on order from Christchurch supplier Windflow Technology on the eastern extension instead.NZ Windfarms chief executive Steve Cross confirmed yesterday there were no immediate plans to go beyond 97 turbines.The eastern extension sites would be more economic than the consented sites on the Palmerston North side, he said.The 24 sites on the eastern extension would be better than the unused sites on the lower slopes of the existing farm, but no plans existed to bring in more turbines than the 32 ordered already, he said.The firm planned to allow a 97-turbine farm to ″bed in″ before considering any further expansion.Mr Cross indicated renewable energy production would be more economic if power prices rose or if an Emissions Trading Scheme hiked the costs of other power sources. ~ Manuwatu Standard |
