Te Apiti Wind Farm, New Zealand

Carbon offset funds enabled the construction of the Te Apiti wind farm, reducing fossil fuel use and helping New Zealand to both diversify its energy sources as well as the geographical proliferation of electricity generation. The project achieved Gold Standard certification in 2005.

HOW IT WORKS
The wind farm is made up of 55 turbines, each capable of generating 1.65 MW of energy, producing enough power for roughly 45,000 homes. Rated a 90 MW wind farm, the project is situated within 1,150 ha of farmland north of the Manawatu Gorge in the North Island of New Zealand. The project was the first New Zealand wind farm to supply electricity directly into the National Grid and to use megawatt-size machines.

CARBON OFFSETS MADE IT HAPPEN
Without offset funds this project would not have been viable. The project was developed as a Joint Implementation project between the New Zealand and Dutch governments.

OTHER BENEFITS OF THE INSTALLATION
This project reduces local emissions of SO₂ and NO₂ associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. To displace the common use of coal and gas, this country must source forms of renewable energy. Wind generation has an increasing role to play in the diversity of supply and is compatible with New Zealand’s hydro generation. Wind farms have a minimal impact on the landscape, and the land upon which they are situated can still be used for other purposes such as farming.