Suitable site still sought for wind farm

Rarotonga’s Wind Farm Project is still awaiting a suitable site for the wind generators.
Tangi Tereapii of the Ministry of Energy advised the Herald on Tuesday that locating a suitable site for the 10 wind generators which will stand 60 high, and securing an agreement with landowners is the only major delay to the project.
The Tupapa hillside site where the initial trials were carried out proved to be unsuitable according to overseas consultants. The area was not large enough and access was a problem.
The plan is to set up 10 wind generators producing a total of about 1.8 megawatts. A wind strength of over 3m per second is also needed while 5m-8m per second is more ideal.
Tangi said government has approved in principle for an application for funding to identify a suitable site. Application for funds is to PIGGAREP- the “Pacific Greenhouse Gas Renewable Energy Programme.”
SPREP is the coordinator for the programme and Tangi says they are writing the terms of reference for the selection of the site.

Tangi said in selecting a site, regard must be had for such matters as soil stability, access, wind direction, surrounding vegetation (tall trees can affect wind flows), clear area ( something like 270 degrees of clear space is ideal also propellers need to be lowered in the event of a Hurricane) and there would also have to be an EIA done which would consider such issues as affect on wildlife, visual effect (propellers stand 60m high) and noise levels generated.

With the prevailing wind being a north easterly, the most ideal site would be in the Matavera area.

Obtaining landowners approval is also important.

PIGGAREP currently funds the wind monitoring programme in Mitiaro, Atiu and Mauke.

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