Project Hayes
Encyclopedia
Project Hayes is a controversial wind farm proposed for the Lammermoor Range of Otago
, New Zealand
.
It has a proposed capacity of up to 630MW, making it the largest wind farm project in the southern hemisphere. The proposed farm would cover an area of approximately 92 km², use up to 176 wind turbines and cost up to $2 billion. The wind farm is proposed by Meridian Energy
.
The project is named after engineer Eben Ernest Hayes
(1851–1933), founder of the Hayes Engineering Works in Otago. He developed a windmill to power his engineering works from 1910 to 1927, and manufactured windmills for pumping water on farms
Resource consent
for Project Hayes was granted in 2007, however the decision was appealed to the Environment Court
. The project is opposed by a number of people, including the former All Black Anton Oliver
who is also opposing the nearby Mahinerangi Wind Farm
. The respected painter Grahame Sydney
and poet Brian Turner
also oppose the wind farms. Meridian spent more than NZ$7.6 million on the consenting process.
In November 2009, the Environment Court declined the consents as they concluded that the project did not achieve sustainable management under the Resource Management Act 1991 because the substantial adverse impacts, principally on the outstanding natural landscape, outweighed the positive factors, principally the large quantity of renewable energy.
Meridian stated that the Environment Court, in requiring a comprehensive and explicit cost-benefit analysis including hypothetical projects, had effectively created a new legal test for projects to overcome. Consequently, Meridian appealed the Environment Court decision to the High Court
. In August 2010, the High Court allowed Meridian's appeal and sent the case back to the Environment Court to be reconsidered, with Meridian to present further evidence on alternative locations. The opponents of the project (the Maniototo Environmental Society, Upland Landscape Protection Society, John and Sue Douglas and Ewan Carr) have filed notice to appeal the High Court Decision to the Court of Appeal
. Meridian's lawyers have asked the High Court to clarify its decision in respect of the Central Otago district plan landscape categories.
As of February 2011, no dates had been set for the next round of court hearings.
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
, 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...
.
It has a proposed capacity of up to 630MW, making it the largest wind farm project in the southern hemisphere. The proposed farm would cover an area of approximately 92 km², use up to 176 wind turbines and cost up to $2 billion. The wind farm is proposed by Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy Limited is a New Zealand state-owned electricity generator and retailer. The company generates the largest proportion of New Zealand's electricity, generating 32 percent of the country's electricity in the year ending 31 December 2009, and is the fourth-equal largest retailer, with...
.
The project is named after engineer Eben Ernest Hayes
Eben Ernest Hayes
Eben Ernest Hayes , was a New Zealand engineer and inventor who founded the Hayes Engineering works in Oturehua, Central Otago...
(1851–1933), founder of the Hayes Engineering Works in Otago. He developed a windmill to power his engineering works from 1910 to 1927, and manufactured windmills for pumping water on farms
Resource Consent Process
In May 2006, Meridian announced three public consultation days to explain Project Hayes. Between July and October 2006, Meridian lodged applications for resource consents with the Central Otago District Council and with Otago Regional Council.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...
for Project Hayes was granted in 2007, however the decision was appealed to the Environment Court
Environment Court of New Zealand
The Environment Court of New Zealand is a specialist court for planning permits and environmental issues...
. The project is opposed by a number of people, including the former All Black Anton Oliver
Anton Oliver
Anton David Oliver is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer who most recently played professionally for the French second-division club Toulon, noted for signing veteran greats including former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and great George Gregan...
who is also opposing the nearby Mahinerangi Wind Farm
Mahinerangi Wind Farm
The Mahinerangi Wind Farm is a wind farm on the north side of Lake Mahinerangi, around 50 km west of Dunedin, in Otago, New Zealand. Stage one of the wind farm, generating 36 MW, was commissioned in March 2011, and an additional 164 MW is consented to be commissioned in further...
. The respected painter Grahame Sydney
Grahame Sydney
Grahame Sydney, ONZM is a New Zealand artist, based in the southern South Island region of Otago. His landscapes, which concentrate largely on sparse elements of human impact on Otago's wild natural beauty and the loneliness of individuals in this scenery, possess a style which could be described...
and poet Brian Turner
Brian Turner
Brian Turner may refer to:* Brian Turner * Brian Turner and field hockey representative* Brian Turner , drummer for the Seattle-based band Schoolyard Heroes* Brian Turner , British celebrity chef...
also oppose the wind farms. Meridian spent more than NZ$7.6 million on the consenting process.
In November 2009, the Environment Court declined the consents as they concluded that the project did not achieve sustainable management under the Resource Management Act 1991 because the substantial adverse impacts, principally on the outstanding natural landscape, outweighed the positive factors, principally the large quantity of renewable energy.
Meridian stated that the Environment Court, in requiring a comprehensive and explicit cost-benefit analysis including hypothetical projects, had effectively created a new legal test for projects to overcome. Consequently, Meridian appealed the Environment Court decision to the High Court
High Court of New Zealand
The High Court of New Zealand is a superior court of New Zealand. It was established in 1841 and known as the Supreme Court of New Zealand until 1980....
. In August 2010, the High Court allowed Meridian's appeal and sent the case back to the Environment Court to be reconsidered, with Meridian to present further evidence on alternative locations. The opponents of the project (the Maniototo Environmental Society, Upland Landscape Protection Society, John and Sue Douglas and Ewan Carr) have filed notice to appeal the High Court Decision to the Court of Appeal
Court of Appeal of New Zealand
The Court of Appeal of New Zealand, located in Wellington, is New Zealand’s principal intermediate appellate court. In practice, most appeals are resolved at this intermediate appellate level, rather than in the Supreme Court...
. Meridian's lawyers have asked the High Court to clarify its decision in respect of the Central Otago district plan landscape categories.
As of February 2011, no dates had been set for the next round of court hearings.
External links
- Meridian Energy - Project Hayes information
- Save Central - a lobby group opposing Project Hayes