The decision grants approval for 29 of the 31 turbines applied for.
“We are pleased that the councils have approved the wind farm and Meridian will be now taking the time to review this comprehensive decision,” said Meridian Energy Chief Executive Tim Lusk.
“We want to work closely with the local residents on this to understand what it will mean for the community.”
The Mill Creek wind farm is planned for farmland in the Ohariu Valley where a group of farmers formed a company more than 10 years ago to seek tenders to develop a wind farm within their properties. The area has the same excellent wind resource as Project West Wind, presently being constructed by Meridian to the south west on Makara Farm and Terawhiti Station. West Wind is due to be fully commissioned by the end of this year.
The resource consent application for Mill Creek was lodged on April 2008 and a hearing was held for five weeks from early August.
Meridian also received confirmation last week that its 52 turbine central North Island wind farm project Central Wind had also received consent.
”Such renewable energy projects are set to make a significant contribution to meeting New Zealand’s needs for a secure energy supply. We are determined to apply all we have learnt to date to demonstrate wind can be harnessed for the benefit of communities and the environment.”
For more information contact:
Claire Shaw
Meridian External Relations Advisor
021 370 677