That grew to 2.6% in the first quarter of this year.
Wind capacity almost doubled in 2007 to 321.7MW.
The New Zealand Wind Energy Association says last year’s capacity increased as White Hill wind farm in Southland and Stage 3 of the Tararua wind farm in the Manawatu got under way.
Chief executive Fraser Clark said greater wind generation would help keep electricity prices down as the cost of thermal generation rose. “The cost of wind generation is not affected by the increasing price of fossil fuels or the cost of carbon emissions.”
By the end of 2009, 493.6MW of wind energy is expected to be installed as Meridian Energy completes Project West Wind, near Wellington, and Christchurch’s NZ Windfarms finishes the second stage of its Te Rere Hau farm in the Manawatu.
Beyond that, Clark said, New Zealand would see strong growth in the wind energy sector, with all major generators now pursuing wind energy projects.
Meridian is seeking resource consent for a wind farm in the central North Island and Contact Energy for a wind farm un the Waikato. Mighty River Power also plans to pursue a project near Wellington.
