Where possible, Meridian contracts people who live locally and regionally to work on its generation projects.

Construction work at White Hill wind farm – the South Island's first wind farm – provided an excellent opportunity for us to employ local people. Around 85% of all people working on the project during the construction phase lived regionally in Southland and Otago.

Lumsden man, Craig Sangster, worked locally as an electrical contractor for 10 years before taking up employment with Vestas New Zealand Wind Technology Ltd as a service technician, to maintain and service the wind turbines. He is one of four people from the region who are now employed full-time as service technicians by Vestas.

Craig, who was on the Lumsden Community Board, became familiar with the project long before construction started, through the consent and hearing process.

"It's been a great project for the community – there's been lots of people working on the construction site driving trucks, diggers and heavy machinery, and as security staff."

Local Mossburn garage owner, Graeme Hellewell, said the project brought a significant amount of business into the area.

"For me personally and for other local businesses, there were some really positive spin-offs in terms of the amount of business coming through."

Project manager, Paul Wilson, says that at the project's height the daily peak was 134 people were working on site, with a total of 654 people involved at different stages. Following the construction phase five people remain based at the site – one full-time site manager in addition to the four service technicians.

"The wind farm has provided a great employment opportunity for local people, both in the short and long-term," he says.