Genesis Energy has narrowly dodged a lapsed resource consent for its proposed wind farm development on Castle Hill, south of Eketāhuna.
A time extension has been granted, giving life to the consent until June 2031.
With the extension also comes a significant downsizing of the proposed site from 20,000 hectares to 10,000ha.
The extension application was approved by an independent commissioner on behalf of Tararua District Council, Masterton District Council, Horizons Regional Council, and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
A Masterton District Council spokesperson confirmed that the amendment to the original scope was granted in April and that the time extension was granted earlier this month.
The original consent – granted in 2013 – allowed up to 286 wind turbines [up to 135m in height] or 242 turbines [up to 155m in height], and a potential renewable electricity generation capacity of up to 860MW.
The new consent allows Genesis to build and operate a wind farm with up to 71 turbines up to 155m in height with a capacity of 300MW, enough to power around 140,000 households each year.
Genesis chief operations officer Tracey Hickman said all other environmental consent conditions remain valid and unchanged.
“The eight-year timeframe is necessary to allow work to be completed before construction of the wind farm can begin,” Hickman said.
“This includes design, access agreements, and consenting of the transmission infrastructure necessary to connect the wind farm to the national grid.”
Hickman could not provide a specific plan of work or timeline but said Genesis will update the community on progress as appropriate.
“Genesis will make a final investment decision on the proposed wind farm if appropriate sometime in the future.”
A spokesperson for Genesis cited unfavourable market conditions behind the inactivity and lack of development since 2013.
However, a number of drivers emphasising renewable generation mean the project is still feasible.
“This includes New Zealand’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change,” the spokesperson said.
“The Castle Hill wind resource remains world-class and could contribute to New Zealand’s renewable generation targets and increase electricity supply.”
The reduced scale of the wind farm will focus on turbine clusters in the south-western area of the original site, and the spokesperson said it “makes better commercial sense”.
