A multimillion-dollar New Zealand wind farm proposal is on the verge of being rejected because of visual pollution concerns, despite a winter of power cut fears.
A report by Greater Wellington regional council recommends a five-year moratorium on wind farm development at Belmont Regional Park, five years after the council called the site a "world-class wind farm opportunity".
The Belmont wind farm - up to 81 turbines sited near Porirua - had a price tag of between $117 million and $138 million five years ago. At least three parties were interested in developing it.
The move to put it on the back burner comes as concerns grow about the visual effects of wind farms. The Environment Court ordered recently a "cumulative effects analysis" on two controversial Central Otago wind farms - Meridian Energy's Project Hayes and Trustpower's Mahinerangi.
"With the increase in wind energy projects in New Zealand, issues of cumulative effects on the landscape and visual aspects are starting to arise," said the report, written by the council's manager of development and strategy.
Concerns about cumulative effects and visual impacts would make wind farm applications "quite challenging".
Yesterday the council also revoked permission for RES New Zealand to build three turbines in nearby Battle Hill Farm Forest Park - part of the proposed Puketiro wind farm - because of a boundary error. Up to 50 turbines are planned at Puketiro, which is six kilometres from Belmont.
It is understood the regional council is trying to find a balance between the benefits of sustainable energy and the visual effects of wind farms, a hot-button topic with other farms elsewhere in the country.
Friends of Belmont spokesman Peter Matcham backed the moratorium plan. "I think it's a very sensible development and I think it reflects the reality of the situation, that there is a lot of development in that area and it doesn't make any sense whatsoever to have all your wind generation in one place," he said. "The whole issue of the sustainability of wind farms is being increasingly questioned."
Wind farms are expected to contribute significantly to the Government's target of 90 per cent renewable energy generation by 2025.
National's energy spokesman, Gerry Brownlee, said yesterday that the security of the country's energy supply was in trouble, and more needed to be done to guarantee extra generation.
As well as the Belmont and Puketiro wind farms, state-owned Mighty River Power plans between 20 and 40 turbines at Long Gully and Meridian Energy plans about 30 in Ohariu Valley.
Work is already under way on 61 turbines near Makara.
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4710150a11.html Date: 30-09-08
A report by Greater Wellington regional council recommends a five-year moratorium on wind farm development at Belmont Regional Park, five years after the council called the site a "world-class wind farm opportunity".
The Belmont wind farm - up to 81 turbines sited near Porirua - had a price tag of between $117 million and $138 million five years ago. At least three parties were interested in developing it.
The move to put it on the back burner comes as concerns grow about the visual effects of wind farms. The Environment Court ordered recently a "cumulative effects analysis" on two controversial Central Otago wind farms - Meridian Energy's Project Hayes and Trustpower's Mahinerangi.
"With the increase in wind energy projects in New Zealand, issues of cumulative effects on the landscape and visual aspects are starting to arise," said the report, written by the council's manager of development and strategy.
Concerns about cumulative effects and visual impacts would make wind farm applications "quite challenging".
Yesterday the council also revoked permission for RES New Zealand to build three turbines in nearby Battle Hill Farm Forest Park - part of the proposed Puketiro wind farm - because of a boundary error. Up to 50 turbines are planned at Puketiro, which is six kilometres from Belmont.
It is understood the regional council is trying to find a balance between the benefits of sustainable energy and the visual effects of wind farms, a hot-button topic with other farms elsewhere in the country.
Friends of Belmont spokesman Peter Matcham backed the moratorium plan. "I think it's a very sensible development and I think it reflects the reality of the situation, that there is a lot of development in that area and it doesn't make any sense whatsoever to have all your wind generation in one place," he said. "The whole issue of the sustainability of wind farms is being increasingly questioned."
Wind farms are expected to contribute significantly to the Government's target of 90 per cent renewable energy generation by 2025.
National's energy spokesman, Gerry Brownlee, said yesterday that the security of the country's energy supply was in trouble, and more needed to be done to guarantee extra generation.
As well as the Belmont and Puketiro wind farms, state-owned Mighty River Power plans between 20 and 40 turbines at Long Gully and Meridian Energy plans about 30 in Ohariu Valley.
Work is already under way on 61 turbines near Makara.
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4710150a11.html Date: 30-09-08
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