Mount Cass Wind Farm

The Mount Cass Wind Farm is a proposed wind farm to be located east of Waipara on Mount Cass in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. It will comprise up to 70 wind turbines along 7 km of a ridge on Mount Cass.[1] Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2021.[2]

Mount Cass Wind Farm
CountryNew Zealand
LocationCanterbury
Coordinates43°4′30″S 172°50′15″E
StatusPlanned
Owner(s)MainPower
Wind farm
TypeOnshore
Hub height76.5m
Rotor diameter120m
Rated wind speedGenerates electricity up to 122 km/hr, and withstands gusts up to 350km/hr
Power generation
Make and modelSiemens Gamesa SWT-DD-120
Units planned22 x 4.3MW
Nameplate capacity94.6MW

History

MainPower initially applied for resource consent from the Hurunui District Council in November 2007. In April 2009 the consents were declined on the basis that the site was an outstanding natural feature of national significance.[3][4] The decision was appealed to the Environment Court,[5] which granted consent in December 2011.[6] The consent was originally due to lapse in February 2020, but was extended until 2025.[7]

Preliminary work on construction began in December 2019.[8] Work was interrupted in December 2020 by the possible discovery of a colony of critically endangered New Zealand long-tailed bats on a nearby property.[9] In April 2021 wildlife monitoring determined that there were no bats present.[10] Construction is now scheduled to begin in late 2021.[2]

In September 2021 MainPower announced that the project was transitioning to an alternative delivery model for the project after significant cost increases, citing risks and effects associated with COVID-19. The project was previously operating with a turnkey Engineer, Procure & Construct (EPC) contract with General Electric, and has moved to a multi-contract model.[11]

In June 2023 MainPower provided an update. Two permanent 76.5m meteorological masts had been installed to provide ongoing wind data. Further geotechnical work was undertaken and the contract for the substation transformer had been awarded. Contractors had been engaged for the 3 main works; Turbine Supply & Install, Civil and Electrical Balance of Plant, to complete detailed design and provide updated offers.[12] Mainpower say they are working towards a planned construction start date in 2023.

See also

References
  1. "Wind farm on Mount Cass approved". Radio New Zealand. 15 December 2011.
  2. Robyn Bristow (22 April 2021). "Construction of South Island's largest wind farm to start soon in Nth Canterbury". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  3. Paul Rogers (2 April 2009). "Resource Consent Application - Report and Determination by Hearing Commissioners" (PDF). Hurunui District Council.
  4. David Williams (7 May 2009). "Wind farm plan rejected". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  5. "MainPower appeals Mt Cass wind farm decision" (PDF) (Press release). MainPower. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  6. "Mt Cass Wind Farm Receives Resource Consent" (Press release). Mainpower. 14 December 2011.
  7. "Mt Cass Wind Farm". Hurunui District Council. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  8. Emma Dangerfield (16 December 2019). "South Island's biggest wind farm to be constructed on Canterbury's Mt Cass". Stuff. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  9. David Williams (22 December 2020). "Threatened bats found near planned wind farm". Newsroom. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  10. "New research confirms there are no long-tailed bats at Mt Cass". Mt Cass Wind Farm. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  11. Farm, Mt Cass Wind. "Mt Cass Wind Farm transitions to new delivery model". www.mtcasswindfarm.co.nz. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  12. Farm, Mt Cass Wind. "Project Update - June 2023". www.mtcasswindfarm.co.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
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