Roxburgh hydropower scheme gets final consent

A multimillion-dollar hydroelectric power scheme under construction south of Millers Flat has been given the final go-ahead by a Central Otago District Council hearings panel.

Talla Burn Generation Ltd was granted land use consent to install power lines to transmit the electricity from the scheme on Beaumont Station along road reserve to the Ettrick substation.

The company was granted resource consent to build the scheme in July 2007, and earthworks began last year.

Talla Burn Generation project engineer Paul Wilson said he was happy with the decision and the conditions imposed.

Council planning consultant David Whitney recommended the council grant the application with 16 conditions, including locating the 33kV line on existing power poles and using underground cabling.

Mr Wilson said he was relieved the panel decided not to impose those conditions, because it would have made the scheme financially unviable.

The line would be buried through the Millers Flat residential area.

The power lines would be constructed during winter.

The 2-megawatt power scheme would meet the needs of up to 1000 homes. He hoped it would be running by July next year.

The scheme would result in cheaper electricity for homes from Clyde to Raes Junction, Mr Wilson said.

It would be selling the power to a new retailer, which would reduce power bills by 10 per cent.

Talla Burn Generation is owned by Beaumont Station owner Alan Hore and Roxburgh electrician Jeff Wilson.

- © Fairfax NZ News