About the Aokautere Extension Project

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Recently, a potential opportunity has arisen to extend the Te Rere Hau wind farm footprint to the northwest, into the Ernslaw forestry block. We are calling this the Aokautere Extension Project.

Like our recent Te Rere Hau Repowering project, we have sought permission to apply for a fast-track consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast Track Consenting) Act 2020. We received that permission in June 2023 and we have submitted our application for resource consents to the EPA in October 2023.

If successful, we would be able to install up to nine new wind turbines, significantly expanding the capacity of Te Rere Hau. It is a fantastic opportunity for NZ Windfarms to tap into the complete capabilities of its world-class wind resource and enhance its production of renewable energy.
 

This proposed extension would offer a range of economic, employment and environmental benefits, both locally and nationally. It would:  

• significantly increase the amount of renewable energy NZ Windfarms will be able to generate 

• bring jobs to the region during planning and construction 

• help in Aotearoa New Zealand’s efforts to mitigate climate change and transition to a low-emissions economy. 

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What would the turbines look and sound like?   

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We are hoping to install up to nine three-bladed wind turbines with a hub height of up to approximately 102m, a rotor diameter of up to 140m and a total height of up to approximately 162m. These new turbines would bring Te Rere Hau into visual alignment and uniformity with the wind farm sites to the north and south. The turbines being considered are two to three generations ahead of the existing fleet. They include direct drive technology, larger rotors, and special operating modes to reduce noise levels. New turbine blades have design features like serrated edge technology - a pattern that helps improve airflow over the turbine blade, resulting in less turbulence, better aerodynamics and reduced noise as the blade cuts through the air. Bigger turbines cut in at lower wind speeds and lower rotor speeds, and at full power they’re much quieter than smaller turbines. Once installed, the new wind turbines will have a life span of up to 35 years.

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Where would the new turbines be placed?

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The new turbines would be placed within the Aokautere production forest, which is between the end of Forest Hill Road and North Range Road.

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How much energy would this extension generate?

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A single turbine with these dimensions is expected to have a nominal capacity (rated power) of approximately 5 MW. Therefore, a 9-turbine wind farm would have a generation capacity of up to approximately 45 MW. Each turbine will be connected to internal wind farm electrical reticulation.  
 

Combining this Extension project with our Repowering project, we could increase the whole output for Te Rere Hau by 7 to 8 times, enough to power 120,000 households (up from 16,000 households).

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What is the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020? 

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Introduced in 2020, the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020 set up a new, short-term consenting process to fast-track projects that can boost employment and economic recovery. 

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It aims to urgently promote employment to support Aotearoa New Zealand’s recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19, and to support the certainty of ongoing investment across the country, while promoting sustainable management of natural and physical resources.

• In March 2023, we applied for the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm Aokautere Extension Project to be considered for referral under the Fast-Track Act.  

• In June 2023, the Hon David Parker, Minister for the Environment, accepted our application for referral. The Minister agreed that the Project meets the referral criteria, in that it has the potential to offer a range of economic, employment, social and environmental benefits, both locally and nationally. These benefits include employment, climate change mitigation and a faster transition to a low-emissions economy.  

•  NZ Windfarms has lodged a resource consent application directly with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

• An expert consenting panel has been appointed and will commence duties on 8 April 2024.

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This link will take you to the EPA website where you can access information about the process.

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