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Before applying for a resource consent for any project, Meridian Energy commissions a broad range of effects reports by independent experts. These reports are used to minimise any impacts of development.
Finalising the proposed wind turbine placement for Project White Hill has been a rigorous process. Each wind turbine site has been assessed against a range of criteria, including generation potential, visual effect, noise, construction requirements, ecology, geology, archaeology and cultural effects.
Visual effect
The visual effect for local residents is a significant consideration when potential wind farm sites are investigated. While some people think wind farms are an impressive feature on the landscape, other people do not like the way wind farms look.
Meridian Energy commissioned comprehensive effects assessments relating to potential visual effects and these were presented to the wider community for their consideration and comment.
Noise
Design improvements mean that modern turbines such as those to be used for Project White Hill produce very little tonal noise compared with earlier models. In particular, rotor blades have been refined to make them more efficient and reduce their aerodynamic noise. Manufacturers have worked very hard to reduce any drive train noises associated with the rotor and generator assembly; in particular they have eliminated pure tonal noise.
Noise from Project White Hill should not be a significant adverse effect. Meridian Energy has analysed wind turbine design, site terrain and the proximity of houses to ensure sound from the wind farm will comply with the New Zealand standard and the adverse effects from noise will be no more than minor.
Effect on birds
While any tall structure poses some risk to birds, the impact of wind turbines on bird mortality rates is very small if careful consideration is given to the wind farm location in respect of the natural ecology of the area. Properly sited turbines avoid flight paths and significant habitats.
Meridian Energy has investigated the possible effects on wildlife of constructing Project White Hill and will ensure that the wind farm is designed in such a way that the impact is minimal.
Impact of construction activities
Meridian Energy will take measures to reduce the impact of construction activity on communities near the proposed Project White Hill site.
Approximately 24km of 5-10 metre wide roads will be required on site during construction to allow for turbine components to be transported in and to allow access for construction and maintenance machinery.
Other construction work includes the excavation and preparation of concrete foundations for the turbines, and the creation of an underground on-farm transmission network and a substation.
Wind turbines, equipment and construction material will be transported to the wind farm site by road from the Port of Invercargill (Bluff).
Effect on land use
Project White Hill will be compatible with other land use in the area. Much of the site is planted out in Douglas Fir seedlings and the site has an existing roading network that could be widened for wind farm construction where possible in order to minimise the landscape effects.
Compared with other electricity generation resources, the impact of wind farms on the landscape is minimal. Wind farms can co-exist with other on-land enterprises such as farming and forestry. The actual footprint of the project is about 1% of the total land area when construction is completed.
Impact on investment in alternative energy and energy efficiency
Some people may be concerned that investment in Project White Hill and other wind farms comes at the expense of investing in energy efficiency initiatives and alternative forms of renewable energy.
While it is certainly important to pursue other forms of renewable energy, their commercial development is generally still at an early stage.
Photovoltaic tiles and other sources of renewable energy such as wave/tidal power and fuel cells do not yet have the scale to meet the forecast growth in demand for electricity and are still very expensive. Currently in New Zealand, the primary forms of renewable energy that are economically viable on a large scale are hydro, wind and geothermal power.
Investing in Project White Hill does not diminish in any way Meridian Energy's focus on improving energy efficiency. One of its business units, Energy for Industry provides corporate customers with support and advice on energy efficiency. In addition, residential and business customers have been offered energy-saving advice and products for several years.
Meridian Energy recognises that greater energy efficiency, improved generation from existing infrastructure and new generation projects are all necessary to help meet New Zealand's future energy needs.
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