15 Dec 2011

Wind farm on Mount Cass approved

7:54 am on 15 December 2011

The Environment Court has given resource consent for a wind farm on Mount Cass in North Canterbury.

The plans were approved on Wednesday and could provide North Canterbury and Kaikoura with up to 40% of its electricity.

Main Power generation manager Andrew Hurley says the wind farm will improve security of supply for the area and contribute to national goals for renewable energy.

Mr Hurley says there has been some opposition, but most concerns have been addressed by noise and environmental conditions included in the consent.

Up to 70 turbines will be installed in a 7km line along the ridge of Mount Cass, near Waipara. Construction is at least two years away.