A look at wind farm development in New Zealand from our very own Kiwi writer and researcher Emily Hall, who recently returned from a well deserved trip home...

"I've just been back home to New Zealand, so thought whilst I was there I would investigate a little into how the wind sector has progressed since I was last home, as there is a large farm to be built very near my home town.

"There are currently six operational wind farms in New Zealand, four under construction and seven proposed (with two that have been approved but are currently being appealed). These are spread across both the North and South Islands.

"Hau Nui (meaning, 'strong wind' in Maori) was New Zealand's first operational wind farm, built in 1996 near the town of Martinborough in the North Island. It’s 15 turbines generate enough electricity to power 1,500 homes.

"The wind farm that has been granted consent close to where I'm from is called Hawkes Bay Wind Farm. This one could be New Zealand’s largest and will generate enough power for 100,000 homes and when I spoke to one of the
project managers last week, he said that is was now "all go" after being appealed in the Environment Court. Up to 75 3MW vestas will be erected, creating up to 225MW of electricity per annum and displacing 480,000 tonnes
of greenhouse gases each year.

"Many wind supporters consider New Zealand to be the "Saudi Arabia of wind", with a great quality and size of resource. Currently, 170MW is produced in New Zealand annually from wind power, so lets hope that next time I go home the Hawkes Bay Wind Farm is well under way!"

Emily

Anyone wanting to know more about wind power in NZ can visit our sister site, Yes2wind New Zealand, at www.yes2wind.co.nz.