Genesis announcement shows wind’s strength

24 August 2007

Media release

Genesis announcement shows wind’s strength

The decision yesterday by Genesis Energy to take an equity share in a wind farm development in Hawkes Bay now means all five of the country’s largest electricity generators have wind energy projects, confirming wind energy as a mainstream energy source.

NZ Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) Chief Executive Fraser Clark said that along with the Genesis announcement, Meridian Energy, TrustPower, Contact Energy and Mighty River Power had also all either sought resource consents or announced plans to pursue wind energy projects in recent months. Last week Meridian also confirmed that they would proceed with Project West Wind.

“This increased level of activity in wind energy shows that New Zealand recognises the value of its natural, renewable wind resource”.

“We are now making the same move that the rest of the World has also been taking in embracing wind power. Global wind energy capacity has been growing at nearly 25% per year for the last 5 years with total capacity now exceeding 70,000 MW”.

“The participation of the successful Australian wind farm operator Roaring 40’s brings some of that international experience to this project, alongside the strong national and local capabilities of Genesis Energy and Unison Networks”.

New Zealand currently has 320 MW of installed wind energy capacity, with a further 46 MW expected to be completed next year.

A number of further wind energy projects ranging in scale from 1.8 MW to 630 MW are currently at various stages of the consenting and development process across the country.

ENDS

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