Status proposed Owner Trustpower | Nameplate capacity 15MW Units operational 17 | |
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Similar Waitahora Wind Farm, Kariotahi Beach, Project West Wind, Te Uku Wind Farm, Te Apiti Wind Farm | ||
The Awhitu Wind Farm is a renewable energy project in New Zealand planned by Trustpower. This development is proposed to be located on the Awhitu Peninsula near Waiuku on the west coast south of Auckland. As of October 2013, it was estimated that this project could come online in the 2016 to 2020 time frame.
History
The project was initially developed by Genesis Energy with plans for up to 18 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 25 MW. Maximum height to the tip of the blades was 90m.
In 2004, the wind farm received carbon credits from the New Zealand government, under a scheme to promote renewable energy for electricity generation. However, local councils denied the application for resource consents. This project is notable in being one of the few power projects to be denied resource consents.
Genesis Energy appealed to the Environment Court, which, in 2005, granted the resource consents, overturning the decision of the local councils. This decision is considered to be important is setting a precedent in how the benefits of the use and development of renewable energy should be considered in an RMA context. For example, this was cited in the decision on the Makara Wind Farm in 2005.
Genesis subsequently sold development rights to a landowner, who approached Trustpower to progress the project.