NZ Windfarms Limited
Media Statement
October 30 2007

NZ Windfarms to seek resource consent for Te Rere Hau extension

NZ Windfarms, which is developing the Te Rere Hau wind farm in the Tararua Ranges near Palmerston North, said today it intends seeking resource consent to extend the farm.

The 48.5 MW Te Rere Hau site is consented for 97 turbines and NZ Windfarms would like to add up to 37 more turbines, CEO Chris Freear confirmed.

“The Te Rere Hau site is meeting expectations. It’s located on one of the windiest ridges in New Zealand, which is one of the premier wind farming locations in the world,” he said.

Mr Freear said that prior to making the formal resource consent applications NZ Windfarms is discussing the proposed extension with surrounding landowners , stakeholders, community groups and the general public.

“As a responsible wind farm developer, we believe it is important to provide people with information about the proposal and to gain an understanding of potential effects caused by the Te Rere Hau extension, which can then be addressed. We have already begun this process and our plan is to meet next month with people who would like to discuss the project,” he said.

“Following this, further meetings, information days and an Open Day at Te Rere Hau wind farm will be held prior to the resource consent applications being lodged.”

NZ Windfarms is installing the New Zealand made Windflow 500 turbine at Te Rere Hau and intends using the same turbines for the extension. The Windflow 500 turbine has been specially designed and built for strong New Zealand wind conditions. It is a smaller, lighter turbine that also affords cost savings and environmental advantages in that it can be erected using a normal mobile crane, requires less earthworks and its construction uses fewer resources, such as concrete and steel.

NZ Windfarms’ inaugural wind farm, Te Rere Hau, is a joint venture operation with two major global wind energy investors – Babcock & Brown and NP Power. The first stage of the farm has been operating since September last year and supplying electricity to the local lines network. Development work is under way for the remaining stages.
ENDS

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