21 March 2007

New Zealand wind resource ready and waiting to respond

New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) chief executive Fraser Clark today said New Zealand’s wind energy industry is ready and waiting to respond to the Government’s renewable energy goals.

The positive atmosphere and broad range of delegates at the Association’s annual conference last week demonstrated how well developed the wind energy industry had become in New Zealand and Mr Clark said that the industry is now clearly ready to harness New Zealand’s world class wind asset.

This year’s conference is the NZWEA’s largest to date with over 260 delegates involved in wind energy development and operations attending the conference.

“The message we got from the industry was a clear one,” Mr Clark said.

“There is significant potential for wind projects to meet the Government’s objectives of sustainability and carbon neutrality but we need to start work now to catch up with the progress that is already being made internationally.”

“While wind energy is growing somewhere between 25-35% per year globally our growth has been inconsistent in the last couple of years due to a lack of clear Government policy on renewable energy and climate change, as well as practical issues such as consistent consenting processes and New Zealander’s nimby (not in my backyard) attitude.”

Installed and operational capacity of wind turbines in New Zealand has now reached 170 MW.

A further 151 MW is under construction in Southland and the Manawatu – which when combined with current operational projects will create enough electricity to supply over 140,000 typical households.

Projects contributing another 1500 MW are currently going through consenting processes.

It is estimated that New Zealand could generate 3600 MW of electricity from wind energy.

“There is so much potential to be harnessed,” Mr Clark said.

“In the future the wind energy industry could provide up to 20% of New Zealand’s total electricity generation. It will be a challenge given the current barriers but as an industry we are ready to work with Government to find practical ways to make it happen.”

“Clear and committed action on climate change and carbon emissions and the development of, clear guidelines and consistent assessment mechanisms under the RMA process will all help.”

“We are ready and waiting to help make New Zealand’s sustainability goals a reality,” Mr Clark said.

For more information about current New Zealand wind projects as well as those under construction or in the consenting process go to NZWEA’s website at www.windenergy.org.nz.

ENDS

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