A plan to fast-track a controversial West Coast hydro scheme has been given an initial go-ahead.
The West Coast lines company, Westpower, has applied to fast-track its controversial plans to build a run-of-river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River, and in its draft decision the fast-track expert panel has given it approval.
Westpower Limited wants to build the $100 million Waitaha Hydro Project on conservation land between Hokitika and Franz Josef Glacier.
The plan is to build a weir to divert water through a tunnel to generate 23 megawatts of hydroelectric power, enough to power the equivalent of about 12,000 homes, according to Westpower.
Excellent. I would much rather have more hydro power than import coal from Indonesia.
Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) however said the proposal risked destroying a unique environment. President Megan Dimozantos said it was bad news for recreational users and the conservation estate.
Has there been any renewable energy project in NZ that hasn’t attracted opposition from environmental and conservation groups? They are in favour of renewable electricity in principle, but always seem to oppose it in practice.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders.
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