Resource Consents For Wairau Scheme

Media Statement from TrustPower Limited
5 August 2008

The Marlborough District Council has advised TrustPower that it has been granted the resource consents required to build its proposed 72MW hydro scheme in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough.

The proposed $275 million scheme will take water from the Wairau River, and pass it though six power stations, including the existing Branch River hydro scheme, before returning the water to the river some 50km downstream.

The full resource consents follow interim consents issued in June 2007 after six months of hearings by a panel of independent commissioners, and a subsequent hearing to determine a wide range of conditions designed to ensure there is minimal adverse impact upon the environment.

TrustPower Chief Executive Keith Tempest says the issuing of the full suite of resource consents and conditions has justified the time, effort and expense TrustPower has put in to the proposal since it was first mooted in 2002.

"The proposed scheme will provide direct benefits to upper South Island communities and indirect benefits to the rest of New Zealand through the freeing up of electricity currently imported into that region for more efficient use elsewhere. At the same time it will assist New Zealand to meets its targets of increased sustainable generation using local natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment."

ENDS

© Scoop Media