Genesis Energy moves forward on Rodney Project

4 October 2005 Media Statement

Genesis Energy moves forward on Rodney Project

A step forward has been made by Genesis Energy on its path to providing electricity generation to its residential and commercial customers in the Rodney district and north of Auckland.

Genesis Energy today announced it has secured an option for an 18 hectare site adjacent to State Highway 16 between Helensville and Kaukapakapa for a proposed natural gas-fuelled power station. The station will have an ultimate capacity of 360MW and is scheduled to be commissioned for the summer of 2008/09.

The option to buy means Genesis Energy has reached an agreement with the property’s landowners to purchase the land should the project attain the necessary consents to proceed.

Genesis Energy has also engaged in discussions with Rodney District Council to ensure the project meets environmental standards and fits into the region’s infrastructure needs before beginning community consultation and the resource consent process.

Genesis Energy chief executive Murray Jackson is pleased to see the project moving ahead and believes the proposal that goes to the consent phase will have the backing of the community.

“We are set on making sure our proposed power station meets the expectations of Rodney’s residents and that we end up reaching an outcome that is agreeable to all parties,” said Mr Jackson.

In the process of planning new generation for the region, Genesis Energy investigated a wide range of generation types and settled on a natural gas-fuelled plant, reasons being, it is a highly efficient and reliable means of generating electricity, and is currently the best source of baseload generation.

Genesis Energy will shortly begin extended consultation with neighbours, the residents of Rodney, local iwi, environmental groups and other interested parties. This will allow the company to get a feel for important issues in the district and discuss the implications of the project with the local community. Provided community consultation is successful, the resource consent process will begin after consultation.

ENDS

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