The Rodney District Council has granted a resource consent for a gas-fired power station

Genesis Energy intends building the power station midway between Helensville and Kaukapakapa on State Highway 16 near the Kaipara Harbour.

Public Affairs Manager Richard Gordon says, even though resource consent has been granted, it will be some time before the power plant is built, if at all. There is still an appeals process to go through and the company is still researching its economic viability.

Mr Gordon says the proposal is just one option for the future. If it goes ahead, the gas turbine could supply up to 400,000 homes a year.