Meridian Energy is planning to build a wind farm on privately-owned farmland in north Canterbury.
If granted consent, 35 turbines, each up to 130 metres tall, would be built at Greta Valley in the Hurunui district.
The company says the $220 million development would generate just over 80 megawatts - enough electricity to power up to 33,000 homes.
Meridian Energy says it has been discussing the proposal with local people and the Hurunui District Council, and while not everyone supports it, the response has been very positive.
Spokesman Alan Seay says the northern half of the South Island is in need of extra generation capacity. "Most of the power for that area comes from further south," he says.
North Canterbury lines company Mainpower is proposing to build a wind farm on nearby Mt Cass.
