NWF - Aokautere Expansion - Fast-Track Consent Referral

Friday 9th June 2023

NZ WINDFARMS LIMITED: AOKAUTERE EXPANSION PROJECT REFERRED TO EXPERT CONSENTING PANEL UNDER THE COVID-19 RECOVERY (FAST-TRACK CONSENTING) ACT 2020

NZ Windfarms Limited (NZX: NWF ) is pleased to announce that the Minister for the Environment, the Hon David Parker, has decided to accept the Company’s application to refer the Aokautere Expansion Project (Project) to an expert consenting panel (Panel) for consideration under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 (FTCA).

The Aokautere Expansion Project to install up to nine wind turbines on neighbouring land is separate for consenting purposes to the recently approved Te Rere Hau Repowering Project to decommission the existing fleet and install up to thirty new wind turbines on the current site.

This is the Company’s second application to the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to utilise the fast-track resource consent pathway.

An Order in Council is now being drafted for the Project. If the Order is approved by Cabinet for submission to Executive Council, it will then be signed by the Governor-General and notified in the New Zealand Gazette. The Company will make another announcement once that has occurred. The day after notification in the Gazette, the Company will be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for fast-tracked consideration of its resource consent applications by a Panel under the FTCA.

Importantly, the Minister’s decision to refer the Project to a Panel under the FTCA, should not be taken as an indication or direction that resource consents will be granted. Additionally, the referral decision does not in any way endorse any related planning decisions that may affect the Project.

The Aokautere Expansion Project could have a capacity of 37.8MW and comprises up to 9 x 4.2MW modern three-bladed wind turbines producing approximately 170 GWh per annum. That is enough renewable energy to power 23,000 average kiwi households or to charge 75,800 electric vehicles.

Craig Stobo, NZ Windfarms Chair says “The Company is excited about utilising the fast-track resource consent pathway for the second time to accelerate the Company’s strategic growth aspirations. We are very pleased that the Minister has decided to accept our Aokautere Expansion Project for Fast-Track referral. Mr Stobo says “We are committed to working with partners to add additional renewable energy generation that creates mutual economic and environmental benefits and contributes towards the transition to a low emissions economy”.

Mr Warren Koia, NZ Windfarms Chief Executive says “The Company’s team of consultants will work to compile its fast-track resource consent application for the Aokautere Expansion Project and we expect to submit that towards the end of the calendar year in accordance with the transitory provisions of the FTCA”.

For further information, contact Warren Koia, Chief Executive, by phone on 06 280 2773, or by email at info@nzwindfarms.co.nz.

Ngā mihi | Thank you

Craig Stobo

Chairman

Aokautere Expansion Project Referred to Fast-Track Consenting Pathway

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