Consenting of Rodney Power Station project moves another step forward

Genesis Energy today welcomed the decision of the Rodney District Council to approve a variation to its District Plan in order to create the Rodney District Thermal Energy Generation Rural Zone between Helensville and Kaukapakapa.

The Chief Executive of Genesis Energy, Albert Brantley, said the ruling signified the next step towards securing a future option of building a gas-fired power plant north of Auckland.

The zone provides for the establishment and construction of a combined cycle gas turbine power station (with a maximum nominal 480 MW capacity) and associated facilities, including offices, administration, and associated waste water treatment and disposal, gas reticulation, and a connection to the National Grid, as a restricted discretionary activity.

The Council set a number of rules for the Zone including those to ensure the rural character is maintained within the Zone and to enhance ecological values by developing new indigenous vegetation within the Zone.

The Council supported the initiation of a consultative group of local residents and other stakeholders that would participate in the development of management plans and be consulted on the construction and ongoing operation of the power station.

A resource consent application by Genesis Energy to discharge dust to air during earthworks activities and for construction of intake, outfall and jetty structures and associated removal of vegetation in and about Kaukapakapa River, in relation to the construction of a power station was also granted subject to conditions.

Genesis Energy will now assess the various rules and conditions set by Council and will wait until the appeals process is concluded before continuing work on the project’s economics and specifications.

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