Genesis Energy originally obtained consent for a wind farm at Awhitu, south of Auckland in 2005, but did not proceed with the project, citing economic factors. The development rights were later acquired by a landowner who then approached TrustPower.
TrustPower still has to fully assess the site, but sees the wind farm could work in synergy with its 9 MW diesel peaking plant, which was installed in 2010 near Whangarei to limit the company's exposure to peak wholesale prices in the region.
The site is consented for a maximum of 18 turbines, with a capacity of one megawatt each.
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