Power company Orion says it is frustrated and disappointed that a wind farm planned for Mount Cass in Canterbury has been refused planning permission.
Orion delivers electricity around central Canterbury, including to Christchurch, and says the wind farm would have lessened the area's dependance on North Island power.
Chief executive Roger Sutton says demand in the region is growing fast and local generation is not keeping up.
Mr Sutton says he will closely monitor consent hearings over Meridian's Mokihinui hydro scheme in North Westland because that could help take up the slack.
