Wind turbines to power Stewart Island
The Provincial Growth Fund has granted $3.16 million to the Southland District Council to build two wind turbines on Stewart Island/ Rakiura.
Environment Minister David Parker yesterday said the development would put the island on a path to sustainable electricity generation. It is estimated Stewart Islanders pay on average about three times as much as mainlanders for power, putting a huge extra burden on household budgets.
The high cost of electricity also hinders businesses that might otherwise operate there, such as commercial fishing companies.
‘‘Installing wind turbines will work to improve business viability, increase productivity and encourage businesses to remain on the island. Jobs will be created during the pre-construction and construction phase,’’ Parker said.
The news was welcomed by those on the island, Rakiura/Stewart Island ward councillor Bruce Ford said. ‘‘I find it difficult to see how anyone can be opposed to a gift of $3m.’’ The next step would be for anemometers to be set up to monitor the wind, he said.
‘‘You usually have to have 12 months of wind monitoring, and I would hope they could start on consents at the same time. A great deal of work has already been done.’’
Acting Southland district mayor Ebel Kremer described it as a winwin for the Stewart Island community. ‘‘It is very positive from central government. That level of investment into Stewart Island, which is a very small community, is substantial. The project will come at no cost to Stewart Islanders, and no cost to Southland District ratepayers.’’
Invercargill based Labour MP Dr Liz Craig said the news was ‘‘fantastic’’. ‘‘This will benefit both householders and businesses significantly.’’
Parker said it was high time Stewart Island’s energy future was addressed. ‘‘Its isolation means it faces challenges to its sustainable economic development.
‘‘It also makes sense to reduce the reliance on diesel, given the island’s reputation and potential as an environmental tourist destination, both for the National Park and as a Dark Sky Sanctuary,’’ he said. Electricity was currently generated on the island through diesel generators that consume about 360,000 litres of diesel a year.
Given the infrastructure on Stewart Island, smaller scale wind turbines would be more suitable and two 95kW turbines have been identified as potential options.
‘‘Building an initial two wind turbines as part of the island’s power generation network is the most economic and environmentally acceptable option. It is estimated to reduce diesel use on the island by half, which will enable the price of electricity to be stabilised,’’ Parker said. A site for the turbines was yet to be decided.