Southland Wind Farm

The latest version of the proposal, by Contact Energy, is for 55 turbines that are 220 metres base to tip, with a total a maximum generation of 300MW. The site of the project is about 5,500 hectares sitting about 15 km east of Wyndham. Contact Energy has stated the project would take two and a half years to install and another 12 months for 'site rehabilitation',{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=Slopedown project now costing $1 billion |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/slopedown-project-now-costing-1-billion |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} and that it would have 160-240 jobs during construction and 10-14 jobs once operational.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-03 |title=Wind farm linked to Tiwai future |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/wind-farm-linked-tiwai-future |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}

If the site is built out to the proposed 300MW it would be the largest wind farm in the country ahead of today's largest, the 222MW Turitea Wind Farm. Other proposals for similar or larger wind farms exist, such as the Kaihiku Wind Farm which would also be in the Catlins and is also proposed to be 300MW.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Plan for large South Otago wind farm |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/501178/plan-for-large-south-otago-wind-farm |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}

Whether the project goes ahead may be tied to the future of the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. This smelter uses 13% of New Zealand's electricity, and has been considering closing subject to power price negotiations. If it did, Southland would have a large surplus of electricity generation and this could affect the viability of the Southland Wind Farm. However, Contact Energy have also said that power demand in Southland is growing, and if Fonterra's plants were electrified this would consume "quite a significant chunk" of the wind farm's generation.{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Evan |date=9 November 2023 |title=Contact Energy to lodge $1b Southland wind farm consent application by year's end |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/133257849/contact-energy-to-lodge-1b-southland-wind-farm-consent-application-by-years-end |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Stuff }}

The project was originally proposed by Wind Prospect CWP (NZ) Ltd in 2008. Wind Prospect's initial proposal was for a 150MW wind farm (50 turbines of 3MW each).{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Glenn |date=28 May 2008 |title=$390m Southland wind farm plan |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/390m-southland-wind-farm-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712111218/https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/390m-southland-wind-farm-plan |archive-date=12 July 2023 |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} The project was purchased by Genesis Energy Limited in June 2010. But by 2011 Genesis said the project was not a priority as the company focused its attention elsewhere, such as a wind farm in Wairarapa.{{cite web |author=Alana Dixon |date=15 April 2011 |title=Slopedown wind farm not a priority: Genesis |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4890683/Slopedown-wind-farm-not-a-priority-Genesis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627052041/http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4890683/Slopedown-wind-farm-not-a-priority-Genesis |archive-date=27 June 2021 |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=Stuff }} The project had already attracted opposition, such as from the West Catlins Preservation Society which had concerns about the visual impact.

In 2023 the proposal was revived by Contact Energy. It would be Contact's first wind power station. This new version initially proposed 50 turbines, but this was later increased to 55. Contact said that if approved, construction would start in 2025. The project was initially estimated to cost $700 m to $900 m, though by November 2023 this was revised to $1 billion.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Rachael |date=2023-05-11 |title=Contact Energy plans to build a 50-turbine wind farm in Southland |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/southland-top-stories/132011416/contact-energy-plans-to-build-a-50turbine-wind-farm-in-southland |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/southland-top-stories/132152926/contact-energys-proposed-50turbine-southland-windfarm-will-cost-900-million-to-build |title=Contact Energy's proposed 50-turbine Southland windfarm will cost $900 million to build |publisher=Stuff |date=26 May 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023}}

The proposal faces opposition by the West Catlins Preservation Society. Members have stated that the project would visually impact the area, and affect the environment and wildlife. They have also questioned the need for more power generation in the province, and suggested that if more power is needed that hydroelectric stations would be preferable. A petition against the project received at least 200 signatures.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/300906019/community-fight-proposed-southland-wind-farm |title=Community fight proposed Southland wind farm |publisher=Stuff |author=Diane Bishop |date=15 June 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023}}{{cite web |author=Rachael Kelly |date=23 July 2023 |title=Opposition to Contact's proposed 50-turbine wind farm grows in Southland |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/132588841/opposition-to-contacts-proposed-50turbine-wind-farm-grows-in-southland |access-date=23 July 2023 |publisher=Stuff }} Part of the wind farm site has been identified as an "outstanding natural landscape" in a report commissioned by four Southland councils in 2018 and finalised in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Rachael |date=17 July 2024 |title=EPA requests further details about proposed wind-farm |url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-southland-times/20240717/281530821252825 |access-date=2024-07-31 |via=PressReader |publisher=The Southland Times }} There are currently 30 dwellings within 5 km of the proposed wind farm.{{Cite web |last=Hepburn |first=Steve |date=2024-12-17 |title=Wind farm ‘difficulties’ shot down |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/wind-farm-%E2%80%98difficulties%E2%80%99-shot-down |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}

In July 2023 the project was accepted for fast-tracking towards resource consent approval under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. Contact Energy lodged a resource consent application with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in December 2023. The laws creating the fast-track process have since been repealed but Contact's application was filed in time to use it. The fast-track process gives the decision to an expert consenting panel. The chair of the panel is Clare Leniham, who began as an environmental and public law barrister in 2012 and has over 20 years of experience advising and acting in resource management law, conservation and public law and land law.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-11 |title=Panel for Contact wind farm |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/panel-contact-wind-farm |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} The EPA will provide advice and administrative support to the panel.

The fast-track process blocks the general public from the resource consent process, and Southland District Council opposed the use of the fast-track process because of this.{{cite web |author=Evan Harding |date=11 January 2024 |title=Wind Farm consent lodged; preservation society 'devastated' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/133542424/wind-farm-consent-lodged-preservation-society-devastated |access-date=11 January 2024 |publisher=Stuff }} However, the panel is still required under the law to invite written comments on the application from certain groups.{{Cite web |last=Environmental Protection Authority |title=Comments from invited parties |url=https://www.epa.govt.nz/fast-track-consenting/referred-projects/southland-wind-farm/comments-from-invited-parties/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.epa.govt.nz}} The panel invited people and entities such as the West Catlins Preservation Society, all adjacent landowners, multiple district and regional councils, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and multiple government ministers.{{Cite web |last=Expert Consenting Panel |title=Persons identified to be invited to comment on Southland Wind Farm |url=https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Fast-track-consenting/Southland-Wind-Farm/List-of-invited-parties.pdf |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=epa.govt.nz}} Comments were required by 25 July 2024 and were published shortly after that.{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Ben |date=2024-08-03 |title=Wind farm pause for 'month or so' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/wind-farm-pause-%E2%80%98month-or-so%E2%80%99 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} The EPA has also sought more information from Contact Energy on multiple occasions, such as light spill distances, dwellings near the wind farm, and why Contact did not prepare management plans in consultation with Te Ao Mārama Inc, the iwi liaison entity for Southland's four rūnanga.

In August 2024, after public feedback was published, the consent application was paused at Contact Energy's request. Contact requested the pause so it could address the matters raised "and where necessary, work through issues with commenters". In December 2024, the consenting panel produced a minute which said there were "what appear to be insurmountable difficulties" between opponents and Contact Energy, such as on wetland protection, lizards, invertebrates, landscape and amenity.

Contact Energy intend, as part of the proposal, to create a community fund valued at $2.8 million over the 35 years of the project’s lifetime. The West Catlins Preservation Society said that this fund was not substantial, with a spokesperson saying no amount would be enough to cover the harm done. The resource consenting panel agreed that the proposed fund was not a substantial fund for the community "given their feedback about the long-term adverse effects... and the expected profit [to Contact]".{{Cite web |last=Hepburn |first=Steve |date=2024-12-14 |title=Fund for those affected by wind farm derided |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/fund-those-affected-wind-farm-derided |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} In December 2024, Contact said it was willing to increase the fund to $3.78 million.

The consenting panel initially stated they would give their verdict on 19 December 2024. It then later changed this to 19 February 2025,{{Cite web |last=Hepburn |first=Steve |date=2025-01-08 |title=Wind farm decision delayed |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/the-ensign/wind-farm-decision-delayed |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} then changed it again to 12 March 2025,{{Cite web |last=Hepburn |first=Steve |date=2025-01-28 |title=Further delay on Slopedown wind farm |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/further-delay-slopedown-wind-farm |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} then again to the latest legal date of 18 March 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=Wind farm decision time extended to legal maximum |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/wind-farm-decision-time-extended-legal-maximum |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} On 18 March the consent was declined.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/545218/consent-for-southland-wind-farm-declined-due-to-potential-impact-on-local-environment |title=Consent for Southland Wind Farm declined due to potential impact on local environment |publisher=RNZ |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025}} On 27 March Contact announced that it would appeal the decision, and re-apply under the fast Track Consenting Act.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/556344/contact-energy-appealing-decision-to-decline-southland-wind-farm-consent-reapplying-under-fast-track-act |title=Contact Energy appealing decision to decline Southland wind farm consent, reapplying under fast-track act |publisher=RNZ |date=27 March 2025 |access-date=29 March 2025}}

• Wind power in New Zealand

{{reflist}}

• [https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/fast-track-consenting/southland-wind-farm/ Ministry for the Environment - Decision to consider Southland Wind Farm under the fast-track process]
• [https://www.epa.govt.nz/fast-track-consenting/referred-projects/southland-wind-farm/ Environmental Protection Authority - publications on the resource consent application, including public feedback]

Category:Proposed wind farms in New Zealand

Category:The Catlins