Wind farm

The next significant matter in developing a proposed wind farm project for Blueskin Bay was ''raised'' yesterday.

The Dunedin City Council is "open to the idea" of buying electricity from a community group planning to erect a $5 million windmill cluster in Blueskin Bay, and is investigating if such a move would be viable.

Lee Stream farmer Peter Doherty still considers the wind turbines he can see from his farm gate "a blot on the landscape".

Pioneer Generation's Mt Stuart wind farm is officially open and producing energy, despite a snowy start.

A Dunedin couple's plans to build a hot pools and accommodation complex in Queensberry have been put to one side, in favour of a wind farm that could have 100 turbines.

The trust hoping to erect a cluster of wind turbines to provide electricity to Blueskin Bay area residents is about to begin the next phase - engaging with the community.

Further monitoring will be carried out on the Kakanui Mountains to help establish the feasibility of a wind farm being investigated by Waitaki Wind Ltd.

Work on the Mt Stuart wind farm between Milton and Waitahuna is progressing well as foundations are being prepared and base rings placed in position. The rings will be embedded in the concrete to form the base upon which each tower will be bolted.

By year-end, wind turbines in Otago and Southland will be producing enough electricity to power an estimated 36,000 homes, and developments which would increase production 11-fold are on the drawing board.

It was a great idea: erect a wind turbine or two and generate enough energyto power the entire Waitati-Blueskin community.

Much of Central Otago's high country has been reclassified in the district plan as being an outstanding natural landscape, which may add more hurdles for developments such as wind farms to gain resource consent.

The Environment Court decision on the Project Hayes wind farm had set a new test for any major project, one that was unprecedented, impractical and perverse, Meridian Energy counsel Hugh Rennie told the appeal hearing in the High Court at Dunedin yesterday.

Construction of stage one of the Mahinerangi wind farm will begin in September, with the first power expected to be produced in February, TrustPower announced yesterday.

The group hoping to put wind power into the houses around Blueskin Bay is looking for a joint-venture partner.