31 Jan 2009

Green Party thanked for supporting hydro scheme

6:20 am on 31 January 2009

A West Coast company is thanking the Green Party for supporting a hydro power scheme it wants to build north of Westport.

Hydro Developments Limited is heartened by support for the proposal, considering the Greens' usual opposition to dams.

Submissions on the scheme closed on Friday.

Mr Easther says the 25 megawatt scheme is intended to clean up water in the Ngakawau River affected by coal mining, and dump it 600 metres offshore.

The $180 - $ 230 million scheme on the Ngakawau River would produce 25 megawatts and would join others planned on the Arnold, Mokihinui and Wairau rivers. It would also clean up water affected by coal mining.