The Hurunui District Council has granted MainPower’s application to extend the development deadline for the Mt Cass Wind Farm resource consent by five years.

The extension to February 2030 will allow MainPower to continue progressing the development of the wind farm, which will strengthen the South Island’s renewable energy capacity, enhance power security and offset around 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse CO2 emissions per year.

“This extension provides the certainty in relation to the main land use consent needed for equity investors and suppliers to be able to advance the project to construction,” says Todd Voice, MainPower’s General Manager Commercial.

“Mt Cass Wind Farm is a significant investment in renewable energy and the five-year extension acknowledges both the progress and the time required to deliver this important piece of infrastructure.”

“We remain committed to delivering this project for the benefit of our community,” says Voice. “The wind farm will not only contribute to New Zealand’s renewable energy goals but also represents a significant investment in North Canterbury’s future energy infrastructure.”

In its decision, the Hurunui District Council agreed that substantial progress has been made on the project since the initial consent was granted and that the impact of granting the extension would be less than minor.