Slopedown Wind Farm
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| Southland Wind Farm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Wyndham Southland |
| Coordinates | 46°21′04″S 169°04′06″E / 46.35111°S 169.06833°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Owner(s) | Contact Energy |
| Wind farm | |
| Type | Onshore wind farm |
| Hub height | up to 135m |
| Rotor diameter | up to 170m |
| Site elevation | 380m to 630m |
| Power generation | |
| Units planned | 50 x 6 MW |
| Annual net output | 900-1200GWh |
The Southland Wind Farm is a proposed wind farm on Slopedown in The Catlins in the Southland District of New Zealand.
The project was originally proposed by Wind Prospect (NZ) Ltd in 2008 as a 150MW wind farm and was called Slopedown.[1] It was purchased by Genesis Energy Limited in June 2010.[2] Plans to apply for resource consent were abandoned in April 2011.[2]
In 2023 the proposal was revived by Contact Energy.[3] It will consist of 50 6MW turbines and cost up to $900 million to build.[4] The wind farm is opposed by the West Catlins Preservation Group.[5] In July 2023 the project was accepted for fast-tracking under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.[6] Contact lodged a resource consent application with the EPA in December 2023.[7]
Location[edit]
The wind farm will be located about 15 kilometers east of Wyndham covering an area of 5,500 ha.[8] Approximately 1.6% of the land within the wind farm area will be used by the wind farm, becoming roading infrastructure, turbine pads for cranes to lift turbine components, and a substation.[8]
Proposal[edit]
To achieve 300MW from 50 turbines, 6MW turbines will be required. These would be larger than any wind turbine previously used in New Zealand with a blade tip height of 220m.[8] In November 2023 Contact said it would make an application for 55, 220 m (720 ft) high turbines, by the end of the year.[9] If the site is built out to the proposed 300MW it will be the largest wind farm in the country ahead of today's largest, the 222MW Turitea Wind Farm.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Conway, Glenn (28 May 2008). "$390m Southland wind farm plan". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ a b Alana Dixon (15 April 2011). "Slopedown wind farm not a priority: Genesis". Stuff. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Rachael (2023-05-11). "Contact Energy plans to build a 50-turbine wind farm in Southland". Stuff. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ "Contact Energy's proposed 50-turbine Southland windfarm will cost $900 million to build". Stuff. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Diane Bishop (15 June 2023). "Community fight proposed Southland wind farm". Stuff. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (23 July 2023). "Opposition to Contact's proposed 50-turbine wind farm grows in Southland". Stuff. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Evan Harding (11 January 2024). "Wind Farm consent lodged; preservation society 'devastated'". Stuff. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Southland Wind Farm Info Booklet and FAQ June 2023.
- ^ Harding, Evan (2023-11-08). "Contact Energy to lodge $1b Southland wind farm consent application by year's end". Stuff. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
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