Readers please note: There are two wind farms proposed for North Canterbury:
• one on Mount Cass (Waipara) by MainPower,
• the other on Centre Hill (Greta Valley) by Meridian.
4 Apr 2012 Wind-farmers expect six-fold growth over next 20 years NZ Herald
Wind now generates about 5 per cent of the country's electricity but this is predicted to grow to 20 per cent by 2030. The outdated perception of wind as expensive and unreliable remains in the minds of some people. And as a consequence the benefits of wind generation for New Zealand tend to be underplayed.
20 Jan 2011 Fraser Clark: Wind farms a breath of fresh air for the energy sector NZ Herald
Wind generation has grown 10-fold since 2003, to more than 4 per cent today. This year alone wind capacity will grow nearly 25 per cent as three new wind farms are commissioned. By 2030 wind could be supplying 20 per cent of our electricity. A close look at the electricity sector reveals that sound economic and energy security reasons are driving the wind industry.
20 Jan 2011 Wind energy’s attractiveness proven again Scoop
"Mt Stuart, a new wind farm in the Clutha District, reinforces that wind energy is a viable and cost-effective source of electricity,” says Fraser Clark, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Today Pioneer Generation announced that it will build the 7.65MW Mt Stuart wind farm near Milton. The wind farm should be generating electricity by December 2011.
17 Jan 2011 Major wind farm planned The Marlborough Express
Mighty River Power wants to build a wind farm with up to 50 turbines along Marlborough's east coast near Cape Campbell.
17 Jan 2011 Meridian gears up for wind-turbine debate The Press
Eyesore or the future of electricity generation? It's a question that has polarised communities affected by the development of New Zealand wind farms and one that Cantabrians will soon be asked for the first time. Next month, Meridian Energy is expected to submit consent applications for a 33-turbine wind farm at Centre Hill, between Omihi and Greta Valley, about 66 kilometres from Christchurch.
27 Jul 2010 Not all residents oppose wind farms The Press
Is envy behind much of the opposition to wind farms proposed for North Canterbury, asks BEN KEPES. It is interesting to note that there was limited concern about the proposal before the financial arrangements between Meridian and the landowners were disclosed. Is it possible that much of the opposition is related to sour grapes from those without an economically viable wind resource on their property? The assertion by opponents that they represent the vast majority of the community in their opposition is, if my discussions with residents are anything to go by, wrong.
20 Jul 2010 Editorial: An ill wind The Press
A reality check is necessary. No major new power stations have been built in the South Island for 30 years. South Island demand for power is outstripping the North Island, thanks to the dairying boom and increasing irrigation. Without more electricity we will not be able to keep plugging in new appliances and watering the farm.
2 Jul 2010 Campaign to fight wind farms The Press
A campaign against wind farms, led by Greta Valley businessman John Carr, will start today, with North Canterbury residents about to find out how much six landowners may be paid for having turbines on their properties.
6 Apr 2010 Wind farm plan rejected The Press
MainPower planned to build a wind farm worth up to $200 million on Mt Cass, east of Waipara. Commissioners Paul Rogers, Paul Thomas and Dean Chrystal said a wind farm on the ridge between Mt Cass and Totara Peak would be "inappropriate" because it would degrade an outstanding natural feature of national significance. Environmental groups called the decision a win for conservation.
3 Apr 2010 $200m North Canty wind farm planned The Press
Meridian Energy is planning a $200 million wind farm in North Canterbury. The state power company wants to install 35 turbines up to 130 metres high predominantly on farmland at Greta Valley, 66 kilometres north of Christchurch. Dubbed Project Hurunui Wind, its estimated generating capacity is 80.5 megawatts, or enough electricity to power up to 33,000 households. The proposed site at Centre Hill is not far from MainPower's proposed wind farm at Mt Cass. (Hurunui District Councillor) Black, a shareholder in privately owned gas and oil exploration company Green Gate, said he had no conflict of interest because he was concerned only about the wind farm's landscape effects. "They're destroying our landscape."
3 Apr 2010 No to proposed Mt Cass wind farm The Press
MainPower's plan to build a wind farm worth up to $200 million on the crest of Mt Cass, east of Waipara, was declined by Hurunui District Council-appointed commissioners yesterday.
11 Jan 2010 Meridian Welcomes Central North Island Wind Farm Decision Scoop
Meridian Chief Executive Tim Lusk has welcomed the decision from the Environment Court yesterday approving the company’s proposed Central Wind wind farm development in full. Project Central Wind would consist of 52 turbines with an estimated combined generating capacity of 120-130 megawatts – enough to power up to 50,000 average homes. It is located across five privately owned rural properties in the central North Island on a site between Waiouru and Taihape.
21 Jul 2008 Contact investigating Waitahora wind farm project Scoop
Contact Energy today said it was investigating a new wind farm project on the remote Puketoi Range near Dannevirke in Southern Hawke’s Bay. The proposed Waitahora wind farm would be up to 177 megawatts in size and would cost around $500 million to develop. The project would involve up to 65 individual turbines and generate enough clean, renewable electricity to power up to 86,000 homes.
11 Jul 2008 Group to fight southern wind farm The Press
A lobby group formed to fight a proposed North Canterbury wind farm wants MainPower to move to another site. The Mount Cass Ridge Protection Society says it supports wind generation and recognises the potential for it in North Canterbury, but is opposed to the Mount Cass location, on the coast east of Waipara.
24 Jun 2008 $38m boost forecast for wind farm The Press
A wind farm planned for North Canterbury will put $38 million into the local economy and provide power for homes in the Hurunui and Waimakariri districts, says the project proposer, Mainpower NZ. Managing director Allan Berge said the wind farm, which is planned for Mount Cass, near Waipara, would have real local benefits in an area that was growing at twice the national rate and where there was no local generation.