Turbine project humming

BY PAUL EASTON

Meridian Energy's new wind farm near Wellington will be switched on officially today, but is already generating noise complaints from nearby residents.

"It's kind of a humming sound, not a swish-swish or a thump-thump," Makara resident Deb Compton said.

The 62-turbine West Wind project has been taking shape southwest of Makara township since September 2007.

Although just 14 turbines are ready for action, the project will be turned on today by Prime Minister John Key, and start pumping power into the national grid.

Ms Compton, who is on the West Wind Community Liaison Group, said she could see four of the giant turbines from her home.

Some had already been turning, producing power for testing purposes. "On Sunday, which was really horrible weather, we could hear them above the weather, which was a surprise."

Complaints had been lodged with Meridian, Ms Compton said, including two from her household in the past two weeks.

It was a worry that complaints were already flowing, with the project only partly completed. "We expected some noise in some conditions, but it looks like my little house in the valley could end up with a whole lot of noise."

Meridian spokeswoman Claire Shaw said three noise complaints had been received.

It had notified Wellington City Council, which is monitoring conditions imposed by the Environment Court two years ago.

Under those conditions, noise from turbines, measured at nearby homes, should not exceed 40 decibels. "We will be looking at the time of the complaints and information from noise-measuring equipment we have on site." West Wind will produce 143 megawatts at maximum capacity, enough power for 70,000 homes, when it is completed in December.

Wind Energy Association chief executive Fraser Clark said West Wind would produce 1.5 per cent of the country's total electricity needs.

"We all know Wellington has a fantastic wind resource, so it's great to finally harness that."

Mr Fraser was confident noise concerns would be addressed. "The sound is not going to be there all the time, it will depend on conditions."

- © Fairfax NZ News