Construction of a $200 million Waikato wind farm is expected to start next October after getting approval from the Environment Court, the project's backers say.
The court issued a consent order to allow the 28-turbine wind farm at Te Uku, near Raglan, go ahead following successful mediation of appeals, Meridian Energy and WEL Networks say.
Meridian is to build and operate the facility, at an estimated cost of $160m.
WEL is to own and manage the electrical lines and sub-station linked to the wind farm, and the high voltage line connecting the wind park to WEL's Te Kowhai point of supply at an estimated cost of $40m.
WEL Networks chief executive Julian Elder says the company is delighted to have resolved appeals without the need for an Environment Court hearing.
The wind farm will generate enough electricity to supply around 30,000 average homes.
Waikato District Council is about to publicly notify WEL's plans for the lines upgrade to service the greater Raglan area and the wind farm.
A power line will run across country from Te Kowhai to the Raglan deviation and then follow the existing line route to the wind farm and through to Te Uku.
