Contact Energy (ASX:CEN, NZE:CEN) said its consent application for the proposed Southland Wind Farm project in New Zealand has been denied by the Expert Consenting Panel convened under the COVID-19 Recovery Act of 2020, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.

The proposed wind farm is set to generate roughly 1,200 gigawatt-hours of additional generation annually, the filing said.

The decision can be appealed to the High Court within 15 working days by the applicant or those invited to comment during the application process, according to the filing.

Shares fell nearly 1% in afternoon New Zealand trade.