Conditions a threat to wind farm, says Mighty River

A state-owned power company is warning that its proposed Turitea wind farm may not go ahead if the project is constrained any further.

Mighty River Power's lawyer made the comment before a Government-appointed board of inquiry on the first day of the restarted resource consent hearing yesterday.

The hearing had been adjourned since September, so Mighty River could redesign its proposal to build a wind farm about 10 kilometres southeast of the centre of Palmerston North.

The original design has gone from 122 wind turbines to 104, with 44 moved into "more recessive" locations and 22 turbine zones removed.

In her opening statement, Mighty River Power lawyer Karen Price warned against constraining the company's consent any further.

Further reductions could delay construction for years while Mighty River Power waited for electricity retail prices to rise high enough to justify the capital cost. The project could fall through completely if it became obvious it was commercially unrealistic, Mrs Price said.

If the project's tower heights were limited below the maximum 80 metres currently sought, Mighty River would probably be unable to generate a competitive tender, as the "non-standard" configurations would favour one supplier over another, she said.

"In such economic circumstances, it is very important that any consent is granted on conditions that are sufficiently flexible to ensure Mighty River Power is able to attract realistic development tenders."

Given variable exchange rates and turbine prices, the company did not know exactly how many turbine zones would be needed to make the project economically viable, she said.

The board of inquiry also heard from project architect Stephen Brown, who said any further reduction of turbines would not significantly reduce the wind farm's visual impact.

The two-week hearing continues today.

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