TrustPower is proposing a wind farm with 48 turbines on the South Taranaki coast, between Waverley and Patea.
The firm says the size is similar to its wind farm at Mahinerangi in Central Otago.
It will be able to generate 130 megawatts and would complement its nearby Patea Dam.
The company plans to lodge resource consent applications in March and is in discussions with neighbouring landowners.
A public meeting at the Waverley Community Centre on Wednesday was the start of a consultation process, which will last five months.
Another wind farm proposal by an Australian company in the area fell through in 2009.
