A huge wind farm is planned for Central Otago, with Meridian Energy hoping to build on the Lammermoor Range, west of Dunedin.
A spokesperson for the company, Gerald Raymond, says the plan is to establish a 176-turbine facility across five private properties.
He says the wind farm would be one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and would supply 630 megawatts of power - almost enough to meet the needs of the whole of the South Island.
It is anticipated the wind farm could provide enough energy to power 330,000 homes; there are 360,000 homes in the South Island.
Raymond says the property owners support the idea and agreements with them are being worked through.
Meridian is also starting consultation with the wider community, with information days to be held at a number of sites in central Otago in the coming week.
