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Waiinu Energy Park

We’re considering a site northwest of Whanganui for a potential wind farm, solar energy and battery development that could generate enough clean, renewable energy to power up to 230,000 average homes.

Waiinu Energy Park is a proposed wind farm, solar energy and battery development northwest of Whanganui.

While the project is in the early stages of development, it could be one of New Zealand’s largest renewable energy developments, generating enough clean energy to power up to 230,000 average homes.

The main site is on farmland between Waitōtara and Waiinu Beach, set back over half a kilometre from the coastline. The project layout will reflect the outcome of effects assessments and local constraints including district plan and coastal protection areas.

A further proposed grid connection site is north of State Highway 3.

Waiinu site map plain

Waiinu site map

Obtaining resource consent

We have not yet lodged a resource consent application and are still considering possible consenting pathways, including the new process set out in the Fast-Track Approvals Act.

Regardless of the final consenting pathway, we remain committed to thorough planning processes and timely, open engagement with those in the local area affected by the project.

Community benefits

We create renewable energy generation assets that will exist for decades to come, in communities where people live and work. It’s important to us that we become part of, and support, the communities that host our developments.

The possible benefits of Waiinu Energy Park to the local community and region include:

  • employment opportunities during construction and ongoing asset management
  • purchase of local goods and services, including use of local contractors
  • establishment of a Power Up fund to support the local projects
  • construction materials offered for reuse by the local community.

What happens next?

Before lodging a consent application, we are undertaking a number of studies to assess the possible effects of the construction and operation of the energy park. These assessments are carried out by independent experts and include:

  • landscape and visual
  • noise
  • ecological
  • archaeological
  • cultural values
  • electromagnetic interference (TV, radio, communications)
  • traffic
  • construction (e.g. dust, sediment management)
  • geotechnical
  • stormwater and hydrology.

We are also consulting with mana whenua and the community about the project and its possible impacts.

If the Waiinu Energy Park project goes ahead, construction could begin around 2028.

Frequently asked questions

Why is this development needed?

The demand for electricity in New Zealand is projected to grow. To keep up with demand, we need to build more renewable energy generation.

Homes and businesses are looking to electricity for things that currently use petrol, gas or coal – whether that’s buying an EV, moving to electric heating, cooking or hot water, or replacing industrial coal boilers with electric boilers. There are also new uses for electricity coming online, like the data centres required to help New Zealand take advantage of AI. 

Increasing our overall electricity supply will also help reduce power prices over time. Meridian is committed to creating as much new renewable energy generation and storage as we can. We expect to commit $1 billion in new projects this year and up to $3 billion through to 2030. 

Why have you chosen this site?

This site has been chosen for its strong and consistent winds and the proximity to transmission lines. The relatively flat land and good access to the sites would also make for easier construction and maintenance of the development.

We estimate that for Meridian to deliver our share of the country’s renewable energy needs, we’ll need to build the equivalent of 20 Harapaki Wind Farm-sized renewable generation assets by 2050.

We have a team of people working on a pipeline of development options – only the best of which make it through to the consenting phase. Meridian and other developers will be building renewable energy projects throughout the country to meet the growing demand for electricity.  

Why don’t you build off-shore wind farms?

At present New Zealand doesn’t have the regulatory settings to enable off-shore wind farms, meaning there isn’t a way to obtain rights over the areas required, or a planning pathway to gain the necessary consents. Onshore wind farms remain more feasible to build in New Zealand.

How much sound will I hear from the proposed wind farm?

Modern wind turbines are quiet. They also have to comply with the with New Zealand Standard for wind farm noise (NZS6808), which requires that sound from a wind turbine outside a nearby dwelling is to be no more than the greater of 40 decibels (about the same level of sound in a quiet room) or 5 decibels above background sound levels. 

The Waiinu Energy Park will be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of NZS6808. 

Should I be concerned about potential health effects from infrasound or vibration?

There are no infrasound, vibration or health effects arising from this proposal.

Levels of infrasound (sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz) and vibration at wind farms are very low. Repeated research has shown that they are well below what humans can perceive and do not pose any health risks to neighbouring communities.

Will the value of my property be affected by the proposed wind farm?

Property value is influenced by a wide range of factors and can fluctuate over timeIt is also inherently subjective, and can be shaped by an individual buyer’s preferences, values and expectations. From our over 20 years of experience of developing renewable energy activities, we are not aware of any studies indicating that a wind farm has led to a general decline in surrounding property values.  

Given this, the approach in New Zealand is to instead consider whether a project could impact amenity at someone’s home, such as through glare from a solar farm or wind turbine noise. Meridian carefully designs and operates its solar and wind farms to manage these effects and make sure they remain within acceptable limits. 

Will my property be affected by shadow flicker?

Shadow flicker can occur when rotating turbine blades come between you and the sun, causing a moving (flickering) shadow inside a building. It’s something we look at carefully as part of the project design process, and by applying international guidelines. If it’s going to impact a property beyond guideline limits, there are mitigations we can put in place, like stopping the turbine during those times.

What are the potential benefits to the community?

We anticipate that at the peak of construction there could be 450-550 people working at the site, and potentially over 2,000 people could work on the project during the construction period. There could then be up to 20 people working at the site once the energy park is operational.

Meridian is committed to employing as many locals and using as many local businesses as possible during the construction of our developments, and specific targets are set for each construction project 

We also have Power Up Community Funds in the communities surrounding each of our generation assets. Run by panels of local community members and Meridian staff, these funds support projects that contribute directly to and generate benefits for the community. Over the past 17 years we’ve invested more than $11 million into over 1,500 projects, with annual funding amounts depending on the size of the asset. 

If I’m affected by the project, will I be able to find out more and have a say?

Yes. We’ve held two community open days and various meetings with people who live close to the project site. Were considering the feedback weve received from these engagements as we progress the project design.

If you think you will be affected by the project and want to talk to us, get in touch at renewables@meridianenergy.co.nz

If our application for referral to the fast-track approvals process is accepted, a panel will be set up to consider and make decisions on the application. Theres a list of parties the panel must invite comments from, including the owners and occupiers of the land adjacent to the project site. 

For more information on the fast-track process, visit www.fasttrack.govt.nz  

Power Up community fund

Meridian’s community fund Power Up supports local projects in the areas near our generation assets. It’s one way we can recognise the importance of local communities to our hydro and wind operations.
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