MainPower generation – the story so far

MainPower has been investigating renewable generation opportunities in Canterbury for more than two decades.

Cleardale

We currently own and operate a 1 MW hydro power station at Cleardale in the Rakaia Gorge. The hydro power station was completed in 2010 and generates around 3,500 megawatt hours of electricity each year, enough to power around 500 residential homes.

Kākāriki Power

The electricity generated at Cleardale was sold on the spot market until 2018, when we established Kākāriki Power, our retail brand. The electricity generated at Cleardale is now being used to power our head offce, depots and substations. Our staff are also able to sign up for our Kākāriki Power retail offering.

Mt Cass Wind Farm

MainPower gained resource consent for a wind farm site on the Mt Cass ridge, Waipara in 2012. We had been gathering wind data at the site since the 1990s.

In 2019, we obtained a variation of the conditions of our existing consent to allow us to use the latest turbine technology. We have also extended the lapsing date of the resource consent to 2025.

Next steps

We are now entering into the pre-construction phase including the issuing of ECan consents. Commercial arrangements need to be finalised and proactive engagement with the local community and stakeholders will continue

Location

The wind farm will be located on Mt Cass, Waipara on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Turbine journey

Mt Cass Wind Farm Ltd

172 Fernside Road
Rangiora 7691