Ministerial windfarm direction 'good news' says Unison

Unison Networks Limited says the Minister for the Environment’s decision to refer its Hawke’s Bay windfarm proposal directly to the Environment Court is “good news.”

Unison made an application in June to the Hastings District Council for a modified version of its windfarm project following an earlier favourable decision on the windfarm by the district council being overturned by the Environment Court. The district council referred the latest application to the Minister, supporting a call-in, and the Minister, the Hon Trevor Mallard, said in December that he was taking this action.

The Minister has now announced that he has a made a direction for the matter to be referred to the Environment Court, in accordance with his powers to intervene under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Stage one of the windfarm (Titiokura), planned for generation of up to 45 megawatts of power from 15 turbines, has already received consent. Stage two (Te Waka), which would produce up to 102 megawatts from 34 turbines, is the subject of the Ministerial call-in and direction.

“Unison is very pleased that the Minister has recognised the national importance of this project with his decision,” said Unison Chief Executive Ken Sutherland.

“The call-in and direction of the application to the Environment Court means this important renewable energy project can receive an urgent hearing. It avoids undue duplication and cost for the council and the public by not repeating the council hearing part of the process. However, it also still allows the public the opportunity to fully participate.”

Public submissions are due with the Minister by March 7.

The Ministerial direction noted that the proposal was relevant to New Zealand’s international environmental obligations and the project’s contribution towards achievement of New Zealand’s target of having 90% of its electricity generated from renewable resources by 2025.

Mr Sutherland said that the windfarm would be the fourth largest in New Zealand, and as such would be a substantial and renewable source of energy, generating sufficient renewable electricity for 50,000 homes

• The windfarm project is located in the Te Pohue-Titiokura area, 35 kilometres west of Napier.

• Stage 1 (Titiokura), up to 45 megawatts of power from 15 turbines, has received consent. The original Stage 2 (Te Waka) of 111 megawatts, now up to 102 megawatts, was declined by the Environment Court in April.

• Combined output would be approximately 400 gigawatt hours a year; about the same amount of energy used each year by 50,000 households.

• The project is being developed as a joint venture between Unison Networks and Roaring 40s, an Australian-based company with extensive experience in the development, construction and maintenance of windfarms.

• Up to 49 three-megawatt turbines would be installed in total (Titiokura and Te Waka).

• Wind generation will displace gas or coal as an energy source, resulting in 830,000 project ERUs (carbon credits).

• The sites have very good wind conditions, excellent road access, secure transmission grid availability and excellent access to Napier port.