Environmental consultancy RPS is working on the first phase of an offshore wind development off the west coast of New Zealand.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund are working to bring offshore wind to South Taranaki and the joint venture has identified a potential site for an offshore wind farm in the South Taranaki Bight.
Project Director Tamara Al-Hashimi said RPS will help determine whether the site is suitable for development.
“We’ll be developing a marine ecology survey programme that will include a review of existing data and knowledge of the region to identify potential gaps and species / habitats that could be at risk of impacts from offshore wind development,” she said.
“We’ll be looking at the distribution and seasonality of marine mammals, seabirds and shorebirds, fish, invertebrates and benthic habitats and communities across the proposed project area and surrounding region.
“At this early stage, it’s important to work closely with local iwi and key stakeholders.
“We want to collaborate effectively so we can design and develop the marine ecology studies needed to undertake environmental assessments and inform an offshore wind farm’s approval.”
RPS will draw on its in-country knowledge as well as its extensive global expertise in offshore wind to design the study program.
Our local team includes Project Manager Lance Furniss, who said: “I spent a number of years working on offshore wind developments in the United Kingdom, including on Hornsea project One.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to bring my knowledge and experience back home.
“And while the industry is just beginning here in New Zealand, there are positive signs about the potential of offshore wind, particularly off South Taranaki.”