Meridian Energy has started a High Court bid to resurrect its Project Hayes windfarm in Central Otago.
The $2 billion project was scuppered when the Environment Court last year overturned resource consents previously issued by the Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council.
The Environment Court had found the project's effects on the unique Lammermoor Range landscape would be too great.
Meridian Energy is questioning the court's assessment of the costs and benefits of the project, particularly societal values.
Meridian also claims the court made an error of law when it required the company to do a comparative analysis of other possible windfarm sites throughout the country.
The hearing began on Monday and was expected to take at least five days.
