Wind Farms
Mill Creek - Ohariu Valley
Wind is a renewable energy resource that Wellington has a good supply of.
Meridian Energy is in the process of developing two wind farms on rural land northwest of the city in the Makara and Ohariu valleys:
- Project West Wind was approved by the Environment Court following an appeal against the Wellington City Council's decision to grant resource consent.
- The Mill Creek resource consent application was jointly considered by Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, and Greater Wellington Regional Council. Consent was granted, with conditions, on 18 February 2009.
While these are not Wellington City Council projects, this page provides information on progress of the two projects.
Project West Wind
West Wind construction site - Makara
Project West Wind, due for completion by late 2009, is in construction on the rugged hills of Makara Farm and Terawhiti Station.
The wind farm will comprise 62 wind turbines, each generating up to 2.3 MW of electricity. The combined output would supply enough power for Wellington's domestic use, according to Meridian Energy.
The Environment Court approved Project West Wind in May 2007. It is subject to a large number of conditions that Wellington City Council is monitoring.
Construction currently underway includes:
- earthworks for access and the turbine foundations
- construction of the turbines and associated infrastructure.
Initial works involve improving the narrow, twisting roads leading to the turbine site to prepare for increased heavy traffic. This included easing corners and installing passing bays. The first stage was completed in December 2007.
The roadworks are being completed in stages:
- first stage - Makara Hill summit near Karori to South Makara Road, including the footpath outside Makara Model School
- second stage - South Makara Road, from Makara Road to the Transpower Road gate
- third stage - Makara Road, from South Makara to Makara Beach Road and Opau Road.
- Environment Court Decision - May 2007 (6.12Mb PDF)
- Conditions of Consent - July 2007 (2.81Mb PDF)
- Project West Wind Fact Sheet (53Kb PDF)
More Information
Further information on Project West Wind, including a map of the wind turbine locations, is available from Meridian Energy.
Project West Wind - Meridian Energy website
Or contact:
Scott Cantley
| Phone: | (04) 499 4444 |
| Email: | scott.cantley@wcc.govt.nz |
Mill Creek
Meridian Energy applied for resource consents for a 31-turbine wind farm in Ohariu Valley in 2008. This project is known as Mill Creek.
The application was considered by Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Mill Creek Decision
The project was granted consent, with conditions, on 18 February 2009.
Executive Summary (111Kb PDF)
The documents below have been revised pursuant to S.133A of the Resource Management Act.
- Decision (Revised) - 06.03.09 (367Kb PDF)
- Decision and Conditions (Revised - Showing Changes) - 06.03.09 (910Kb PDF)
- Conditions (Revised) - 06.03.09 (394Kb PDF)
More Information
Further information on the Mill Creek project, including a map of the wind turbine locations, is available from Meridian Energy.
Mill Creek Project - Meridian Energy website
Or contact:
Rachel Pawson
| Phone: | (04) 499 4444 |
| Email: | rachel.pawson@wcc.govt.nz |
Related Links
- Notified Resource Consents
- Resource Consents Information
- Greater Wellington Regional Council website
- Porirua City Council website
- Meridian Energy website
- Wellington City Libraries
Department Details:
Urban Development & Transport
