Aokautere Expansion Project – Order in Council – Received

3 July 2023 NZX Announcement For immediate release NZ WINDFARMS LIMITED: AOKAUTERE EXPANSION PROJECT REFERRED TO EXPERT CONSENTING PANEL UNDER THE COVID-19 RECOVERY (FAST-TRACK CONSENTING) ACT 2020 On 9 June 2023, NZ Windfarms announced that the Minister for the Environment, the Hon David Parker, had decided to accept the Company's application to refer the Aokautere Expansion Project (Project) to an expert consenting panel (Panel) for consideration under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 (FTCA). This announcement was conditional on receiving an Order in Council for the Project. NZ Windfarms is pleased to announce that it has received the Order in Council to have the project referred to a Panel for consideration under the FTCA. The Order in Council is attached to the pdf version of the NZX release. Importantly, the Minister's decision to refer the Project to a Panel under the FTCA, should not be taken as an indication or direction that resource consents will be granted. Additionally, the referral decision does not in any way endorse any related planning decisions that may affect the Project. The Aokautere Expansion Project to install up to nine wind turbines on neighbouring land is separate for consenting purposes to the recently approved Te Rere Hau Repowering Project to decommission the existing fleet and install up to thirty new wind turbines on the current site. The Aokautere Expansion Project could have a capacity of 37.8MW and comprises up to 9 x 4.2MW modern three-bladed wind turbines producing approximately 170 GWh per annum. That is enough renewable energy to power 23,000 average kiwi households or to charge 75,800 electric vehicles. Mr Warren Koia, NZ Windfarms Chief Executive says "Our priority will be consultation with Iwi, the local community and stakeholders to finalise the design and layout, assess environmental effects, and develop a fast-track resource consent application. Once these steps are completed, we will submit an application to the EPA for consideration by a Panel under the transitory provisions of the FTCA. We anticipate this application to be submitted later this calendar year". For further information, contact Warren Koia, Chief Executive, by phone on 06 280 2773, or by email at info@nzwindfarms.co.nz. Nga mihi | Thank you Craig Stobo Chairman Attachment 1. COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Referred Projects - Amendment Order 2023, Schedule 91 - Te Rere Hau Wind Farm - Aokautere Extension End CA:00414090 For:NWF Type:MKTUPDTE Time:2023-07-03 09:36:32