Waiinu Beach is around 36.6km northwest of Whanganui. Photo / NZME
Meridian has submitted a fast-track consent application to build a 5000-hectare energy park between Waitōtara and Waiinu Beach, but some residents remain “pretty much 100% opposed” to the project.
Last May, the Whanganui Chronicle reported that Meridian Energy planned on starting construction in 2027.
Its head of renewable construction, Rebecca Nicholson-Knott, said it could be one of New Zealand’s largest renewable energy developments, generating enough clean energy to power up to 230,000 homes.
But it was still in the early stages of development, she said.
“Fast-track requires a lot of work to be done up front, including community engagement, technical and effects assessments, so we’ve taken a bit longer to ensure the application is as detailed and well thought-out as possible.”
The Government’s fast-track legislation allows certain infrastructure, housing and development projects believed to be of regional or national significance to be eligible for a streamlined approvals process.
South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon said he was aware of some public pushback on the park, but it had “gone quiet” in recent months.
“All these things are good and exciting, but you will often get pushback for various reasons.
“Some of them can be very good, valid reasons, and others can be a ‘nimby’ [not in my backyard].”
Meridian plans around 60 wind turbines, each up to 250m high, as well as 100ha of solar panels.
The site includes areas of 4700ha and 600ha, to be connected by a transmission corridor.
Waiinu Beach Ratepayers Association secretary Allan Fergusson said the group was “pretty much 100% opposed” to the project going ahead.
Around 35 households were part of the association, he said.
“It [opposition] is basically because of the impact it will have on the beach.
“These turbines are 100 metres taller than any others in New Zealand at the moment, and two football fields from tip to tip.
“We feel like we’re the guinea pigs. If it happens here, it’ll happen everywhere.”
Nicholson-Knott said Meridian had carried out a lot of community engagement, with the feedback helping “shape the project”.
“For example, we have removed some of the turbines closest to Waiinu Beach from the initial proposal.
“We’ll continue to engage with iwi, community, councils and other stakeholders as we work through the consenting/approvals process.”
Fergusson said no one at the beach was opposed to renewable energy, but the park would be “right in our face”.
The association wanted seven turbines removed, but Meridian removed only three, he said.
“The moment we look north, that’s all we’ll see.
“Just put it somewhere where it doesn’t affect people. We’ve got ranges on the other side of the main road [SH3].”
He said residents were also concerned about property valuations if they wanted to sell.
“Once it’s in, it’ll be here for 20 or 30 years, and we can’t do a thing about it.”
The Chronicle reported last year that the park’s main site would be about 500m from the coastline.
If completed, it could produce 1500GWh of renewable energy a year.
According to Meridian’s project page, Waiinu Beach was chosen for its strong and consistent winds and proximity to transmission lines.
“The relatively flat land and good access to the sites would also make for easier construction and maintenance of the development,” it said.
Nicholson-Knott said Meridian was aiming to start construction in 2028, but that depended on several factors, including the consenting process.
Nixon said that, in his opinion, it was a really good project for South Taranaki.
“There will be construction employment and a bit of ongoing stuff as well.
“But I don’t know enough of the details around holdups and what the actual pushback is completely.”
He said a Kupe onshore production station had been very close to his home, which had resulted in lighting issues.
“My preference would have been for it not to be there.
“These things can have effects, but if we don’t support some of them and let them happen, we’ll go nowhere as a country.”
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.