Yass Tribune reports construction has begun for the Cullerin Range Wind Farm. Projected to be on schedule at this time, the site will have 15 wind turbines erected later this year. Most work for the site preperation has been given to local tradesman.
Wanganui Chronicle reports Meridian Energy plans to build 52 wind turbines between Ranitikei and Ruapehu districts, but opposition exists to destroying the scnergy. Meridian has made themselves available to hear people’s concerns on a one-on-one basis.
The Courier reports a $9.5 million community investment is needed to build Australia’s first community owned wind farm. The two turbine project would create a trust fund to provide the community with $1 million a year for the life of the project.
iStockAnalyst reports Mighty River Power plans to install 131 wind turbines. This project will have the potential to be one of the most successful wind farm developments in New Zealand.
Forbes.com reports Allco Financial Group Ltd has completed the sale of Tehachapi wind farm that is expected to create power for 1 million L.A. homes within a decade. The project sold for $325 million to Terra-Gen Power and ArcLight Captical Partners LLC. The sale created A$!63 million profit for the financially challenged Allco.
Stuff.co.nz reports Meridian Energy determined WindFlow Technology’s wind turbines were unsuitable, hence the reason to spend $1 billion on importing European turbines. Meridian felt the turbines created by WindFlow were too small and noisy due to the two blade system, not to mention the company could not meet production demands.
FarmOnline reports the proposed Silverton Wind Farm Development in New South Wales, Australia could provide 1,000 MW of wind energy to provide electricity for 40,000 homes. Farmers are looking to be compensated for the land used for this wind farm development as other areas of the country pay up to $5,000 per wind turbine, annually.
TVNZ.co.nz reports Antarctica will receive three wind turbines. Funding for the project that will take 2 years to complete will come in the form of $320,000 from the New Zealand Government and a partnership with Meridian Energy. The power from the turbines will go directly int a U.S. power plant and will avoid additional environmental risk from transporting fuel to the various stations.
The Southland Times reports a detailed report has been submitted recommending TrustPower not determine their financial contributions to a proposed wind farm until a building consent has been applied for. The council is looking to charge the company the full levy they are entitled to. The proposed project is an estimated $380 million. Currently, TrustPower’s Kaiwera Downs wind farm has the potential to create $1.9 million in levies under district plan rules. TrustPower would be required to have financial responsibility to any road damage that may be caused in the development of the project in Gore District.
Mercury reports a 225kw wind turbine will be installed at a poultry processing plant in Tasmania, Australia to reduce their carbon footprint. Nichols Poultry will use enough renewable energy to offset the equivalent of 148 cars being taken off the roads.