The Environment Court confirmed the resource consent for Meridian Energy' Project Central Wind on 27 January 2010.
The proposed wind farm was originally granted resource consent in February 2009 by the Ruapehu and Rangitikei District Councils and Horizons Regional Council. This consent was appealed to the Environment Court, and a hearing was held in September 2009.
The proposed wind farm is located between Waiouru and Taihape in the Central North Island. It could have up to 52 turbines, with a total capacity of 130 megawatts. On an annual basis it could generate as much electricity as used by 50,000 average homes. The wind farm is expected to generate electricity for 90% of the time, and have a capacity factor of 36%.
Meridian has not yet announced plans to proceed to construction.
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