Meridian tests solutions to turbine noise

Meridian Energy may have found a solution to the noise generated by its Makara wind farm, which continues to generate more than 100 complaints each month.

The 62-turbine wind farm has drawn strong opposition from nearby residents since the first turbine was switched on last April.

Wellington City Council noise compliance manager Matthew Borich said 133 complaints were received in November, 105 in December and 39 in January. It was not unusual to receive more than 100 a month.

Meridian spokesman Alan Seay said an acoustic expert was visiting Makara to help work on solutions.

The wind turbines were made by European company Siemens, and Meridian was working with the manufacturer on ways to ease the noise.

Mr Seay said the company was optimistic it had found a solution and was testing possible options now.

A series of conditions is in place governing noise levels. They are intensively monitored as different standards exist for the character of noise generated, the sound and the frequency, and they all alter depending on wind conditions.

Residents have most commonly complained about a low-frequency hum. Siemens has found a possible solution.

Mr Seay said the method for solving the problem was "very technical" and involved slight alterations to the turbines and the technology on which they relied.

Mr Borich said there was no evidence to suggest the wind farm had breached its consent conditions, but a full compliance report would not be completed until the end of the month.

Meridian wants to build a 31-turbine wind farm in Ohariu Valley, northwest of Wellington city. Although the project gained resource consent last February, it was the subject of an appeal and the proposal is now before the Environment Court.

Mr Seay said a compliance report currently being prepared would be useful in that court process.

Makara resident Lynne Carter said the recent southerly winds had offered some reprieve as the noise was most troublesome during westerlies.

"It will start up again, though, and you have the same old roaring. People can't imagine what it is like."

It was a "farce" to look at whether noise levels were being breached as the low-frequency hum was difficult to measure, she said.