Awhitu Wind Farm
Encyclopedia
The Awhitu Wind Farm is a renewable energy
project in New Zealand
planned by Genesis Energy. This development is proposed to be located on the Awhitu Peninsula near Waiuku
on the west coast south of Auckland
.
It is planned for up to 18 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 25 MW . Maximum height to the tip of the blades is 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 consent
s. 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.
Currently, Genesis Energy considers the project is uneconomic, and has placed this project on hold until market conditions improve.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
project in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
planned by Genesis Energy. This development is proposed to be located on the Awhitu Peninsula near Waiuku
Waiuku
Waiuku is a country town in the Franklin District, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of the Waiuku River, which is an estuarial arm of the Manukau Harbour...
on the west coast south of Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
It is planned for up to 18 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 25 MW . Maximum height to the tip of the blades is 90m.
In 2004, the wind farm received carbon credits from the New Zealand government, under a scheme to promote renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
for electricity generation. However, local councils denied the application for resource consent
Resource consent
A resource consent is the authorisation given to certain activities or uses of natural and physical resources required under the New Zealand Resource Management Act . Some activities may either be specifically authorised by the RMA or be permitted activities authorised by rules in plans...
s. 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
Resource consent
A resource consent is the authorisation given to certain activities or uses of natural and physical resources required under the New Zealand Resource Management Act . Some activities may either be specifically authorised by the RMA or be permitted activities authorised by rules in plans...
context. For example, this was cited in the decision on the Makara Wind Farm
Project West Wind
Project West Wind is a wind farm located at Terawhiti Station and Makara Farm west of Wellington, New Zealand.It is the first wind farm for the capital city, and has a capacity of 143 MW. Construction of the wind farm project began in September 2007 and was completed in late 2009...
in 2005.
Currently, Genesis Energy considers the project is uneconomic, and has placed this project on hold until market conditions improve.