TrustPower Investigates Wind Farm Near Dunedin

January 2006

TrustPower Investigates Wind Farm Near Dunedin

TrustPower has announced it is pursuing a wind farm development at Lake Mahinerangi, south of Dunedin.

Resource monitoring in the area indicates the potential for a world class installation, capable of achieving performance similar to TrustPower's Tararua wind farm, which is currently regarded as the best performing commercial scale wind farm in the world.

TrustPower Chief Executive Keith Tempest says that the location of the proposed project, close to TrustPower's largest hydro storage (Lake Mahinerangi) and the associated Waipori power stations, provides a huge opportunity to derive benefit from the natural synergy between hydro and wind.

The Waipori hydro scheme is connected into both the local power distribution network, and the national grid. The addition of the windfarm will significantly assist security of supply for consumers in Dunedin and the surrounding area, particularly during winter and periods of peak demand.

"A windfarm development at Mahinerangi would enable us to better utilise the hydro storage available behind our Waipori scheme. The ability to retain water when the wind is blowing for use when it is not, plus the availability of added peaking capacity provided when both resources are available, would give the best of both worlds in terms of sustainable generation, says Mr Tempest."

The area of land being investigated for the project includes land owned by the Dunedin City Council, which has approved TrustPower's initial investigations on this land.

If the project proceeds it could have an installed capacity of up to 300 MW resulting ultimately in an investment in the Otago region of up to $500 million. The windfarm would be likely to be built in 100MW increments. Each 100MW of wind generation would supply enough electricity to power more than 50,000 typical homes.

Subject to satisfactory results from engineering studies, wind resource monitoring and environmental reports, TrustPower expects to apply for resource consents later this year.

ENDS

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