If another deal can be struck, this would be the fourth wind farm to be built in the area, making the Tararua Ranges the wind-farm capital of New Zealand. The area has some of the fastest wind speeds in the world, at 10 metres a second.

Industry sources say two Australian companies are examining the economics of wind power in New Zealand.

The PNCC last week sent out requests for proposals to generator-retailers TrustPower, Meridian Energy, Genesis Power and Mighty River Power, and local lines company Powerco regarding the development of a wind farm at Turitea Reserve.

Powerco chief executive Steven Boulton confirmed receipt of the RFP documents, but said they had been forwarded to new owner Brisbane-based Prime Infrastructure for consideration. Prime Infrastructure already has investments in some Australian windfarms.

Already developed is TrustPower's Tararua wind farm and Meridian's Te Apiti. Christchurch's Windflow Technology has also received consent for a 104-turbine wind farm but it is some way from development.