Just a dozen or so of the hundreds of wind turbines on the ridge near the Manawatu Gorge, just east of Palmerston North
I (Marsha) had heard a lot about hydro-electric generators in New Zealand, but on our trip to Palmerston North I got to see wind-powered generators.
For the past decade or so, the ridge on either side of the Manawatu Gorge has been the site of a wind farm: over 100 wind turbines, each 70 metres tall. Visiting the lookout at the top of the ridge makes it clear why the turbines are here: even on the relatively calm day we visited, the wind was fierce. The geological explanation is that the Manawatu river starts on the east side of the island and runs west — through the mountains. Apparently as the mountains rose over the ages, the river kept cutting it, leaving a deep, narrow gorge that funnels the wind through (and over) the gorge.
The gorge itself is now a preserve. A train track follows the north side of the river, with 27 small tunnels drilled through the steep hillside (see photo above). A major two-lane highway connecting Palmerston North with the East Coast was built on the south side of the gorge, but has been closed for over a year because of incessant problems with landslides. Locals told us of plans for a new road to be placed higher up the hillside, but that it may take years for it to be completed. Meanwhile, traffic is detoured up an older, very twisty road that goes up and over the ridge — and gives fantastic views of the windmills. Good thing Don Quijote never got to New Zealand, he would have been exhausted by all the tilting!
Green Edges 