Wind

New Zealand’s wind resource is amongst the best in the world. Wind energy is one of the fastest forms of electricity generation to build and bring online. It also has one of the lowest overall environmental impacts – using wind to generate electricity does not produce greenhouse emissions.

By the end of 2005, the amount of wind energy installed in New Zealand will be about 170 MW. That is enough electricity for about 75,000 average New Zealand homes. But wind energy is set to make an even greater contribution to electricity generation in New Zealand.

There is potential for wind to generate more than 2,500MW (depending on costs, technical constraints and resource consent requirements). That is enough electricity for over one million homes.

Electricity generated by wind is widely approved of by many New Zealanders. A public opinion survey conducted by UMR Research in May 2004 showed that wind power and hydro have the highest approval rating of any electricity generation method.

Wind-generated electricity was approved by 82 per cent of those surveyed, and more than 40 per cent said they would prefer that future electricity needs are met by wind power, than by any other source.

If you would like a hard copy of any reports listed to your right in Related Resources, or if you have a suggestion for further research, email windenergy@eeca.govt.nz.