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As of early 2008, Wind power in New Zealand has an installed capacity of 321 MW, nearly double the 2006 capacity. Wind power now provides enough electricity to meet the needs of 145,000 New Zealand households,[1] and supplies approximately 2.5% of the country's electricity demand.[2] A further 172.6 MW of wind farms is under construction, with approval being sought for another 1985 MW.[1]
[edit] Wind resources
New Zealand has outstanding wind resources, due to its position astride the Roaring Forties, resulting in nearly continuous strong westerly winds over many locations, unimpeded by other nearby landmasses at similar latitude.[3] One study found that using 1% of total available land for wind farms would produce approximately 100,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year.[4] This is roughly three times the annual electricity consumption of New Zealand in 2001.
[edit] See also
The Windflow 500 is New Zealand's only locally designed and manufactured
wind turbine.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
