Click photo to enlarge
An illustration from a NZ Windfarms prospectus.
Submitters who originally opposed plans for a small wind
farm on one of Clutha's highest points will soon be approached
by the project's new owners, who are keen to reactivate the
development.
The future of the Mt Stuart development was in doubt for
several months earlier this year after its original
developers, NZ Windfarms Ltd, pulled back on taking it to the
next level before selling the project to the Central Otago
company Pioneer Generation..
The resource consent application for the nine-turbine wind
farm attracted 15 submissions with all but one opposing the
application.
But Pioneer Generation chief executive Peter Dowling said
this week the generation company planned to start talking to
submitters from next week "just to make contact".
The company had been tied up with hearings surrounding its
power plant plans for the Nevis River between Cromwell and
Queenstown but now wanted to turn its attention towards the
Mt Stuart proposal.
"We're keen to get on with some consultation before we
reactive the consent," Mr Dowling said.
The site is on the southwestern side of the Manuka Gorge,
about 15km inland from Milton.
The nine turbines would have a maximum height of 75m and
generate between 5.5MW and 6.5MW.
