Clutha Resource Consent Decision

Clutha Resource Consent Decision – Comment From Contact Energy

Contact Energy Ltd said today that it has received the decision on its resource consent applications and the conditions attached to the consent authorisation for using water in the Clutha River to generate electricity.

“We are naturally pleased to have reached this important stage of what has been a very long process,” Contact’s General Manager, Operations, David Thomas said.

The consent process commenced in 1998, and Contact’s costs to date have amounted to approximately $5 million.

Contact welcomed the fact that the consent had been granted for a 35 year period - the longest available under the RMA and in line with other recent hydro resource consents granted in other parts of the country.

The generation stations on the Clutha River are a key component of the national electricity system, on average delivering close to 10 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity needs.

“It will now take some days to consider the decision in detail and for the company to decide whether there are elements on which it may wish to appeal.

“That analysis will be required before we can make further comment.,” Mr Thomas said.

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