Awhitu Wind Farm

Awhitu Wind Farm
Country	New Zealand
Location	near Waiuku, New Zealand
Coordinates	37°16′S 174°40′E
Status	Proposed
Owner	Private
Power generation
Units operational	3

The Awhitu Wind Farm is a renewable energy project in New Zealand initially planned by Tilt Renewables. The development is proposed to be located on the Awhitu Peninsula near Waiuku on the west coast south of Auckland.[1] As of 2016 the project was being privately pursued.[2]

History

The project was initially developed by Genesis Energy with plans for up to 18 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 25 MW.[3] Maximum height to the tip of the blades was 90m.

In 2004, the wind farm received carbon credits from the New Zealand government,[4] under a scheme to promote renewable energy for electricity generation. However, local councils denied the application for resource consents. This project was notable in being one of the few power projects to be denied resource consents.

Genesis Energy appealed to the Environment Court, which, in 2005, granted the resource consents until the year 2015, overturning the decision of the local councils.[5] Genesis subsequently sold development rights to a landowner, who approached Trustpower to progress the project.[6] In 2016, Tilt Renewables demerged from Trustpower.[7] By 2016 the project was being pursued by private development.[8]

A single turbine was erected in 2020.[9] As of December 2023, three turbines had been erected.[10]

See also

• Wind power in New Zealand
• Electricity sector in New Zealand

References

1. "Generation update – October 2013". Electricity Authority. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
2. "Energy for the next generation". The Post New Zealand. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
3. "Awhitu". NZ Wind Energy Association. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
4. Duynhoven, Harry (23 February 2004). "Extended wind farm wins carbon credits". NZ Government.
5. "Genesis wins case for wind farm". New Zealand Herald. 8 September 2005. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
6. White, Edward (18 June 2012). "TrustPower may build 15MW Awhitu wind farm this year". Energy News.
7. "Demerger". Trustpower. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
8. "Construction has begun". The Post New Zealand. 19 December 2016.^[permanent dead link‍]
9. "About Awhitu Peninsula". Retrieved 17 June 2021.
10. "Resource Consent Application: Waiuku Wind Farm" (PDF). SLR Consulting New Zealand. 11 December 2023. p. 14. Retrieved 28 April 2024. The wind farm currently consists of three turbines, each of a height of 90m to blade tip and is consented for a total of 18 turbines producing 1 MW of power supply each.