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.
Mill Creek is going through the approval process. Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, and Greater Wellington Regional Council are jointly considering the resource consents for this project.

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 has applied for resource consents for a 31-turbine wind farm in Ohariu Valley. This project will be known as Mill Creek.

The application is being considered by Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, and Greater Wellington Regional Council. It was publicly notified on 17 April 2008 with submissions closing on 16 June 2008.

Copies of the Resource Consent Application are available for viewing at the Council offices at 101 Wakefield Street (first floor reception), Central and Johnsonville libraries, Greater Wellington and Porirua City Council offices.