6 Sep 2011

Large windfarm approved for Manawatu-Wanganui

3:22 pm on 6 September 2011

A large 60 turbine wind farm has been approved for the Manawatu-Wanganui region.

Mighty River Power Ltd lodged resource consent applications three years ago which Environment Minister Nick Smith referred to an independent board of inquiry.

The proposed Turitea wind farm will be located along the ridgelines of the northern Tararua Ranges in the Turitea Reserve and on surrounding farmland 10km south-east of Palmerston North.

The farm will include 33 turbines at the northern end of the site and 27 turbines at the southern end.

Wind Energy Association chief executive Eric Pyle says the project has been a long time coming and will help New Zealand move further toward renewable electricity generation.