NZ Windfarms Ltd: Market Update

5 April 2023

NZX Announcement

For immediate release

NZ WINDFARMS LIMITED: MARKET UPDATE


SECOND MFE REFERRAL APPLICATION TO UTILISE FAST-TRACK RESOURCE CONSENT PATHWAY FOR A NEW WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT

NZ Windfarms has submitted a second application to the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to utilise the fast-track resource consent pathway to construct a new wind farm development on the boundary of the existing Te Rere Hau wind farm. A referral decision is anticipated before 30 June 2023.

The proposed new wind farm development (Aokautere Project) is separate to the existing fast-track consent application currently before the expert consenting panel to reconsent and repower the Te Rere Hau wind farm.

The Aokautere 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.

Craig Stobo, NZ Windfarms Chairman says “The Company is excited about the prospect of utilising the fast-track resource consent pathway for the second time to continue with the Company’s strategic growth aspirations, and to continue to contribute to the decarbonisation of the electricity sector. It should now be clearer to shareholders why the Board decided to pause dividends and to retain cash to invest in growth opportunities”.

The MfE referral submission is not a full resource consent application, but it does contain sufficient detail about the Aokautere Project for the Minister for the Environment and his team to make a referral determination under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.


VVFPA HEDGING UPDATE

The Company has recently executed new Variable Volume Fixed Price Agreement (VVFPA) contracts with an existing counter party and a new counter party. The new counter party will require the execution of transaction documentation (ISDA and related documents) which is expected to be completed soon. The identities of the counterparties and strike prices are commercially sensitive and remain confidential.

The Company’s generation is now fixed as follows:
• Q2 2023 – 100% fixed
• Q3 2023 – 50% fixed
• Q4 2023 – 50% fixed
• Q1 2024 – 50% fixed
• Q2 2024 – 75% fixed
• Q3 2024 – 75% fixed
• Q4 2024 – 50% fixed


For further information, contact Warren Koia, Chief Executive, by phone on 06 280 2773, or by email at [email protected].

Nga mihi | Thank you

Craig Stobo
Chairman

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Announcement PDF