GARRAD HASSAN OPENS OFFICE

British wind industry consultants Garrad Hassan is setting up a branch office in New Zealand because it believes the country holds enormous potential for wind energy. Pointing out that the New Zealand market has striking similarities to that of the UK, Andrew Garrad says: "There will be issues of confidence on behalf of the financial sector and environmental worries to deal with as well as making sure machines can cope with the New Zealand conditions. If these are tackled properly the future looks bright. Failure to address them will slow the development dramatically." He adds that Garrad Hassan can provide the experience and independent advice which a new market is so dependent on.