Southern windfarm plans

State-owned power generator Meridian Energy has plans for a 35-turbine windfarm in North Canterbury.

The 80-megawatt project, with wind turbines up to 130m high, could produce enough electricity to power 33,000 homes and help address the power needs of the top half of the South Island, spokesman Alan Seay said.

Project Hurunui, on private property owned by farmers in the Greta Valley, about 65km north of Christchurch, was estimated to cost between $200 million and $220 million.

North Canterbury lines company Mainpower also has plans for a wind farm, on a 6.5km ridge of nearby Mt Cass, 6km east of Waipara.