Kaipara tide turbine plan gets green light
23 Feb 2011
New Zealand’s first tide-driven power station in the Kaipara Harbour has been approved by Government despite concerns over fish stocks and dolphins.
The $NZ600mil project is for a staged installation of 200 tidal turbines near the mouth of the harbour by Crest Energy. The approval was granted on condition that the initial installation was 3 turbines followed by 2 years of environmental monitoring. If they do not adversely impact the environment, another 17 turbines will be added after which permission will be given for further staged implementation.
