NZ Wind Farm Approved

A new 176-turbine wind farm has been approved in New Zealand.

Meridian Energy's wind farm proposal for the Lammermoor Range in the South Island has received resource consent from the Central Otago District Council.

The farm has the potential to generate up to 630MW of electricity, enough to supply up to 263,000 homes.

The 92km² wind farm will be developed about 70km north-west of the city of Dunedin.

The district council says the consent holder must submit detailed environmental and traffic management plans for approval before starting construction.

Opponents of the development included All Black hooker Anton Oliver, who presented a 75-minute, 21-page submission against the proposal at consent hearings.

By staff writer