Plans for a small wind farm on one of the Clutha district's
highest points will be reactivated by the project's new
Central Otago-based owners.
Pioneer Generation recently bought the Mt Stuart project from
original developers NZ Windfarms Ltd for an undisclosed sum
and will consult submitters to the original proposal before
it continues with the consent process.
NZ Windfarms had put the project on hold to consider its
response to the submissions. All but one of the 15 submitters
strongly opposed the nine-turbine development.
The company's chief executive, Steve Cross, told the Otago
Daily Times yesterday the New Zealand Stock Exchange was told
last Friday of the sale.
"The bottom line was that the project didn't fit into where
our business is at the moment . . . we are pleased to give it
to a party that will keep it going."
Pioneer chief executive Peter Dowling said in a statement the
company had bought the Mt Stuart assets and interests and
planned to reactivate the consent process.
The site is on the southwestern side of the Manuka Gorge,
about 15km inland from Milton.
The nine turbines, each with a maximum height of 75m, would
generate between 5.5MW and 6.5MW.
Pioneer will initially review the development and consult
submitters to the original application.
