Genesis today said it had reached agreement with the two community groups that had appealed an Environment Court decision to grant resource consents for Awhitu.

As part of the agreement, Genesis Energy will establish a community trust, to promote environmental enhancement in the Karioitahi-Taurangaruru area.

The Karioitahi Equestrian Environmental Protection Society and the Waiuku Windfarm Information Group have now withdrawn their High Court appeal enabling the wind farm project to proceed.

Genesis Energy chief executive Murray Jackson was pleased all the parties involved had been able to work together to find common ground and reach an agreement.

“The initiatives and conditions of consent that we have agreed are, in the long run, good for the environment in the Karioitahi-Taurangaruru area of the Awhitu Peninsula.

“We look forward to working closely with the local community and making a positive difference to the local environment through the building of a new source of renewable energy in a region that is seeing a growth in demand for electricity.”

Genesis plans to commission the 18-turbine Awhitu wind farm, which will provide enough electricity to power about 7500 homes, in November 2007.