Meridian wind farm breath of fresh air

The Green Party congratulates Meridian Energy on its initiative to build the biggest wind farm in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere.

Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today there were brilliant sites for wind farms all over New Zealand, and she hoped other energy companies would follow Meridian's lead.

"New Zealand is staring at a choice between two energy futures - one driven by coal and yesterday's fuels, leading eventually to planetary disaster; the other driven by new clean technologies such as wind," Ms Fitzsimons said.

"The choice is ours and it's clear. It's important we make the right one now.

"Meridian's choice to embrace wind rather than coal is a significant step down the right path. It is important we keep up the momentum."

State-owned electricity generator and retailer Meridian Energy announced today it is seeking resource consent to develop a wind farm on the north side of the Manawatu Gorge.

The proposed wind farm, Te Apiti, is expected to have 55 wind turbines with a total capacity of between 82.5 and 96.25 megawatts, generating enough electricity for 32,300 homes.

ENDS

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