West Coast Waitaha hydro plan receives draft fast-track approval

A fast-track expert panel has approved Westpower’s proposal to develop a run-of-river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River, part of a $100 million project aimed at generating 23 megawatts of hydroelectric power. This initiative, located on conservation land between Hokitika and Franz Josef Glacier, is expected to supply electricity for approximately 12,000 homes. The project has faced controversy, but initial approval marks a significant step forward.

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