New Zealand - Massive wind farm for Hawke's Bay

The biggest wind farm to ever be built in New Zealand is to be constructed in Hawke's Bay. The project will supply electricity to up to a 100,000 homes, and is the latest addition to the country's fastest growing way of generating power. Ten years ago New Zealand's wind turbine population stood at one but now there are 175 turbines across the country with many more to come.

On top of existing farms, there are more than 500 waiting to be built, or waiting for consent. If all of the farms are given the green light, together they would power around 360,000 homes. Another 40 turbine development near Palmerston North has just been announced. Experts estimate that nearly 700,000 homes could be powered by wind from 1,000 giant turbines around the country. "New Zealand is blessed; you have good winds and you have hydro power. It is as if the good Lord decided you were going to have wind power here," says Danish Parliament VP Svend Auken.

However Keith Turner of Meridian warns New Zealand to take wind power carefully. "Let's make sure we build good relationships in the industry, particularly with landowners and with the communities, or we're going to do some damage to the industry," says Turner. It is the worry about damage by the industry's turbines that concerns communities at proposed sites such as Makara. "We will be effected, undoubtedly by the noise generated by these turbines," says Makara resident Dave Bennett.