The New Zealand Wind Energy Association welcomes the Environment Court's issuing of a consent order for Wel Networks' and Meridian Energy's proposed 28-turbine Te Uku wind farm, near Raglan.
"This positive outcome is a result of the parties' commitment to accommodating concerns and seeking solutions," says NZWEA chief executive Fraser Clark. The consent was issued following successful mediation of appeals and without proceeding to an Environment Court hearing.
"Wind farms need to be built in areas where the wind is strongest, which tends to be on hilltops and in rural areas. As a result, wind farms can have effects on the local landscape that are hard to avoid completely.
"New Zealanders want to see greater use of renewable resources for electricity generation, but not at an unacceptable cost. Finding the appropriate balance between the benefits and effects of a proposed wind farm will always be challenging.
"This consent demonstrates that with a commitment to talking to affected people and understanding the issues, it is possible to mitigate the effects of a wind farm to acceptable levels while enabling the development of clean, renewable electricity generation," says Mr Clark.
ENDS
Notes
1) For more information please contact:
Fraser Clark, Chief Executive, 04 499 5048 or 027 244 1049,
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Sarah Vaughan, Communications Adviser, 04 4995047 or 027 212 2296,
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2) The New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) is an industry association that works towards the development of wind as a reliable, sustainable, clean and commercially viable energy source. We aim to fairly represent wind energy to the public, government and the energy sector. Our members include about 80 companies involved in New Zealand's wind energy sector, including electricity generators, wind farm developers, lines companies, turbine manufacturers, consulting firms, researchers and law firms. For more information visit www.windenergy.org.nz.