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Central Wind windfarm resource consent application: all-of-government submission for lodging

Background

  1. Meridian Energy is proposing to develop the Central Wind windfarm on the Mounganui Plateau in the North Island Central Plateau.  The Central Wind proposal is for a windfarm of up to 52 turbines, each with an external transformer mounted at its base.  The proposed site occupies approximately 42 square kilometres, is currently used for pastoral farming, and lies three kilometres northwest of Moawhango, 12 kilometres north of Taihape and 10 kilometres south of Waiouru.  Access to the site will be through the Waiouru Army Training Area.
  2. In June 2008 Meridian Energy asked that I use my intervention powers under section 141A of the RMA to lodge a Crown submission in support of the proposal.  Using the criteria in section 141B of the RMA, I subsequently determined that their proposal is of national significance.
  3. On Monday 14 July 2008 I advised Cabinet that I intended to develop and lodge a Crown submission on the proposal. Cabinet noted that I consider that the Central Wind proposal is of national significance and invited me to report back with a draft Crown Submission for consideration [ CAB Min (08) 27/20]. 

Comment

Main elements of the Central Wind proposal

  1. Meridian Energy has applied to the Rangitikei and Ruapehu District Councils and the Horizons Regional Council for land-use consents to establish, operate and maintain the Central Wind windfarm which consists of up to 52 wind turbines over a 52 square kilometre site. The maximum generation capacity of the windfarm would be 130 megawatts (MW) producing up to 400 gigawatt-hours per annum.  Meridian states that the windfarm will generate enough energy to meet the annual requirements of up to 44,000 homes.

  2. The activities covered in the resource consent application include:
    1. erection of up to 52 turbines up to 135 metres in height with each turbine having a transformer housed next to it in a steel box, and 2 weather masts
    2. land disturbance and earthworks to construct the turbine platforms, access roads, cable trenches and buildings
    3. construction of underground and overground cables from the turbines to the substation
    4. construction of a substation, switching station, associated buildings and maintenance facilities
    5. erection of a 220kV transmission line connecting to an existing 220kV transmission line located on the site
    6. establishment of a temporary concrete batching plant.

 

Last updated: 29 August 2008