Wind Tops Survey on Energy Sources

Jul 21 - Dominion Post

WIND is the most approved form of electricity generation and most people would not oppose a wind farm being built in their area, a new survey shows.

The survey, carried out for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority -- which advises the Government and the industry -- found Wellingtonians and Cantabrians were most in favour of wind energy, with 86 per cent approval.

It also found 70 per cent of Wellingtonians would be in favour of a wind farm being built in their area.

The figure rose to 84 per cent if they would not see or hear the windmills. However, only 47 per cent said they would favour a wind farm close by if they could see it, even if they could not hear it.

The findings are unlikely to impress opponents of a proposed wind farm at Makara.

Almost 1300 submissions have been lodged with Wellington City Council in response to two proposed district plan changes that would, among other things, help clear the way for wind farms.

Council urban strategy director Stephen Rainbow said a large number of submissions related to the wind energy and wind farms issues though it was too early to say how many were opposed.

"The submissions reflect local concerns about wind farm proposals, but also reflect the growing pressure, at a national level, for the development of new and alternative energy sources," he said.

Council staff are preparing a summary of the submissions and will then call for further submissions next month as part of the Resource Management Act process. A hearings committee will then consider the district plan changes.

Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said the EECA survey indicated very low levels of the `not in my backyard' syndrome.

"Only nine per cent did not want a local wind farm even if they could not see or hear the turbines," he said.

EECA chief executive Heather Staley said she had expected good support for renewable energy but was surprised by how high the approval levels were.

Wind power and hydro power received the highest approval ratings of 82 per cent and 79 per cent respectively, with geothermal electricity getting 67 per cent.

Wind was preferred because it was seen as environmentally friendly and low cost. Gas and coal-fired plants were the least preferred.

* The telephone survey was carried out by UMR Research who questioned 750 New Zealanders aged over 18 in May.