Mechanical engineer and managing director of wind energy consultant firm Garrad Hassan Pacific, Graham White, of Melbourne, gave evidence for Meridian on the technical aspects of its proposed development and the quality of its potential wind resource.
In his written evidence, Mr White said the 92sq km site comprised a range of features deemed beneficial to wind energy generation, including its elevation, relatively flat, consistent landscape, and low vegetation.
Such features reduced turbulence and maximised the potential for wind electricity generation.
"Detrimental characteristics include turbulence, wind shear, flow separation and extreme winds.
"Low turbulence, moderate wind shear, few areas of flow separation, and [preferable] wind speeds are favourable for wind energy.
"The Project Hayes site exhibits such features," he said.
Mr White cited different class structures for wind farm sites, depending on average wind speeds.
He said most of New Zealand's class 1 sites (average speeds of up to 10m/s), had been used for wind farm development, and more class 2 sites (average speeds up to 8.5m/s), of which Project Hayes was one, would be needed for additional electricity generation development.
"The number of class 1 sites available . . . is limited and development of class 2 sites is almost certainly going to be required if New Zealand is to meet its renewable electricity targets.
"As a class 2 site, Project Hayes is exceptional," he said.
Mr White, who is originally from Canada, said he had experienced wind turbines working efficiently in cold and sometimes humid temperatures, when icing of the blades could occur.
He did not think icing would be a problem in terms of Project Hayes, although he admitted he had not been to the site during winter.
"Overall, I consider that the wind conditions and other site features at Project Hayes make wind power generation on the site extremely attractive, from both a national and an international perspective."
Mr White also said the large-scale Project Hayes development would cost less than a series of smaller wind farms scattered around the landscape to produce the same amount of electricity.
"The smaller and more fragmented the wind farm is, the greater the likely costs per turbine.
"Assessment of a wind resource, providing transmission and road access to the site, assessments of environmental effects, and obtaining the necessary permits for development all come into costs.
"These fixed project costs result in economies of scale for larger projects," he said.
Day 19:
Panel: Environment Court judge Jon Jackson, commissioner Alex Sutherland, commissioner Heather McConachy, and deputy commissioner Ken Fletcher.
Project: In October 2007 Meridian was granted resource consent, by the Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council, to construct, use, and maintain a 176-turbine wind farm on the Lammermoor Range in Central Otago.
Yesterday's witnesses: Former chief executive officer of the NZ Institute of Economic Research, Dr Brent Layton, mechanical engineer and Garrad Hassan Pacific managing director, Graham White, Orion NZ chief executive and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority chairman, Roger Sutton.
Today: Meridian will call its next witnesses Goran Strbac, and Tony Coggan.
Quote of the day: "Overall, I consider that the wind conditions and other site features at Project Hayes make wind power generation on the site extremely attractive, from both a national and an international perspective" - Graham White.
