Wind Farms

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Mill Creek - Ohariu Valley.

Mill Creek - Ohariu Valley

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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.

West Wind construction site - Makara

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Project West Wind was completed in late 2009 on the rugged hills of Makara Farm and Terawhiti Station. Initial works began on the project in October 2007.

The wind farm is made up of 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 has been monitoring.

Construction included:

  • earthworks for access and the turbine foundations
  • construction of the turbines and associated infrastructure.

Initial works also involved improving the narrow, twisting roads leading to the turbine site to prepare for increased heavy traffic. This included easing corners and installing passing bays.

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.

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

Related Links

 

Department Details:
Urban Development & Transport