15 August 2007

Makara Wind Farm Decision is Great News for the Region and Country

Meridian Energy’s decision to proceed with Project West Wind is great news for the region and the country according to the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“The Chamber has been a strong advocate of this project from day one, both in the media and in the submissions process,” said Chamber CEO, Charles Finny.

“Wellington’s wind offers a natural advantage for provision of an increasingly important source of renewable energy. The project will enhance security of supply to the region. It will also generate economic and employment growth for the region.

“We are delighted the project is proceeding but feel it unfortunate that the Environment Court process has seen the amount of electricity to be produced from the site as less than originally planned. Even so, the project goes a long way to making Wellington energy self sufficient and is the type of practical way forward to actually achieving progress towards reducing our green house gas emissions as a region and as an economy.

“The Chamber also welcomes Meridian’s moves to encourage the introduction of electric vehicles into New Zealand. The Chamber, like Meridian, sees technology as offering real opportunity to reduce the GHG emissions from our transport fleet. The early introduction of large numbers of electric vehicles into the New Zealand market is not that far away. We are glad to hear that Meridian is trying to accelerate this process.

“Meridian CEO Keith Turner and his staff need to be commended for their foresight and commitment to the future growth our region and national economy in a sustainable manner”, Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS

© Scoop Media