Genesis aims to tap potential with wind farms | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Wairarapa could soon have its second wind farm with a decision by Genesis Energy to push ahead with plans to build turbines 20km northeast of Masterton.
The energy giant yesterday announced it would lodge a resource consent application to build its proposed Castle Hill Wind Farm on a site straddling about 4000ha of land.
Land use agreements had already been signed with 27 owners of 30,000ha and talks had been held with the four district and regional councils affected.
Since revealing the plans in February, Genesis had undertaken extensive wind monitoring and engineering studies, as well as environmental assessments.
Wind monitoring had confirmed an attractive wind prospect with the potential generating capacity of up to 600MW.
The number, size and location of the turbines was yet to be determined.
If the company moved to build the wind farm, it would be built in stages over several years.
Details on the turbines, site layout, construction and operation activities and a complete assessment of environmental effects would be revealed in its resource consent application, expected to be lodged before mid-2011 following consultation with the community.
Genesis public affairs manager Richard Gordon said the project was not planned on any site considered iconic _ an issue that has snagged Meridian's plans to build 45 turbines on a ridge to the north of Nga Waka O Kupe, about 8km southeast of Martinborough.
''It's very much a low profile sort of area.''
Feedback had so far been generally positive and more would be sought over a series of open days, one-on-one conversations and meetings with representative groups.
Newsletters were yesterday also posted to about 700 homes affected by the plan.
Mr Gordon said it was too early to reveal the cost of the wind farm, but added it would hold potential economic spin-offs for landowners and the local companies involved in construction.
The electricity would contribute to the national grid.
Genesis chief executive Albert Brantley said deciding to apply for the resource consents was a ''significant step forward'' for the company's strategy for renewable energy.
''Genesis Energy has an objective of developing new generation that demonstrates strong sustainability performance.
''We have a target to consent and construct 300MW of new renewable energy generation by 2015. However, as a commercially driven business, we will focus on any economically viable project.''
Genesis operates 16 turbines near Martinborough at Hau Nui, the first commercial wind farm in New Zealand.
The company is still investigating the potential for another farm west of the existing Hau Nui site that could feature up to 40 turbines.