Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm | |
---|---|
| |
Country | New Zealand |
Location | Gore |
Coordinates | 46°14′29″S 169°3′21″E / 46.24139°S 169.05583°E |
Construction began | October 2022 |
Commission date | November 2023 |
Construction cost | 115m (stage 1) |
Owner(s) | Mercury Energy |
Wind farm | |
Type | Onshore |
Hub height | 77m |
Rotor diameter | 136m |
Site elevation | 400m – 460m |
Power generation | |
Units operational | 10 x 4.3 MW |
Make and model | V136-4.2 MW in 4.3 MW operating mode |
Units planned | 155 MW |
Nameplate capacity |
|
Annual net output | 148 GWh (Stage 1) |
The Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm is a wind farm in the Southland region of New Zealand. It is consented to have a maximum capacity of 240 MW and use up to 83 turbines. [1] Originally proposed by Trustpower, it is now owned and operated by Mercury Energy. The 10 turbine, 43 MW stage 1 of the project was opened in November 2023. [2]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "hot food" for Kaiwera. [3]
The wind farm is located about 15 kilometres south-east of Gore, within an area of 2,568 hectares (25.68 km2). [4] Access to the site from the port at Bluff is "considered excellent".
The prevailing south-west/ westerly winds blow with an average wind speed of 8.7 – 8.9 m/s.
The project received resource consent in June 2008. [5] In September 2018 Tilt said that the development was waiting for favourable market conditions. [6] In June 2021 Tilt announced the project was being acquired by Mercury Energy. [7] In June 2022 Mercury began talks with the local community over the wind farm. [8]
Installation of an initial ten turbines totalling 43 MW of generation is expected to start in October 2022. [9] [10] [11] Earthworks began in the first week of October 2022. [12] A sod-turning ceremony was held in November 2022. [13] As of February 2023, Mercury say they expect all turbines to be operational by October 2023. [14] The first turbines arrived in April 2023, and were transported to the site during May and June. [15] As of July 2023, two of ten turbines had been erected, and the wind farm was expected to be complete by October. [16] As of mid October 8 of 10 turbines are operational and stage 1 of the project is on track to be completed by the end of October. The wind farm was officially opened on 20 November. [2] [17]
Mercury is building stage 2 of the project starting in June 2024 with first generation coming on stream by mid-2026 and completion by mid-2027. They are building an additional 155 MW of capacity. [18] In June 2023 they received approval to amend their resource consent. [19] This change reduces the total number of turbines for the project from 83 to 66 but allows the remaining turbines to be built with an additional 20 meters of height, a maximum blade tip height of 165m. Mercury say this will help reduce stress on the blades and increase their lifespan. [19]
Power will be exported via a new 18 km (11 mi) 33,000-volt line to Transpower's Gore substation. [20]
Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm | |
---|---|
| |
Country | New Zealand |
Location | Gore |
Coordinates | 46°14′29″S 169°3′21″E / 46.24139°S 169.05583°E |
Construction began | October 2022 |
Commission date | November 2023 |
Construction cost | 115m (stage 1) |
Owner(s) | Mercury Energy |
Wind farm | |
Type | Onshore |
Hub height | 77m |
Rotor diameter | 136m |
Site elevation | 400m – 460m |
Power generation | |
Units operational | 10 x 4.3 MW |
Make and model | V136-4.2 MW in 4.3 MW operating mode |
Units planned | 155 MW |
Nameplate capacity |
|
Annual net output | 148 GWh (Stage 1) |
The Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm is a wind farm in the Southland region of New Zealand. It is consented to have a maximum capacity of 240 MW and use up to 83 turbines. [1] Originally proposed by Trustpower, it is now owned and operated by Mercury Energy. The 10 turbine, 43 MW stage 1 of the project was opened in November 2023. [2]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "hot food" for Kaiwera. [3]
The wind farm is located about 15 kilometres south-east of Gore, within an area of 2,568 hectares (25.68 km2). [4] Access to the site from the port at Bluff is "considered excellent".
The prevailing south-west/ westerly winds blow with an average wind speed of 8.7 – 8.9 m/s.
The project received resource consent in June 2008. [5] In September 2018 Tilt said that the development was waiting for favourable market conditions. [6] In June 2021 Tilt announced the project was being acquired by Mercury Energy. [7] In June 2022 Mercury began talks with the local community over the wind farm. [8]
Installation of an initial ten turbines totalling 43 MW of generation is expected to start in October 2022. [9] [10] [11] Earthworks began in the first week of October 2022. [12] A sod-turning ceremony was held in November 2022. [13] As of February 2023, Mercury say they expect all turbines to be operational by October 2023. [14] The first turbines arrived in April 2023, and were transported to the site during May and June. [15] As of July 2023, two of ten turbines had been erected, and the wind farm was expected to be complete by October. [16] As of mid October 8 of 10 turbines are operational and stage 1 of the project is on track to be completed by the end of October. The wind farm was officially opened on 20 November. [2] [17]
Mercury is building stage 2 of the project starting in June 2024 with first generation coming on stream by mid-2026 and completion by mid-2027. They are building an additional 155 MW of capacity. [18] In June 2023 they received approval to amend their resource consent. [19] This change reduces the total number of turbines for the project from 83 to 66 but allows the remaining turbines to be built with an additional 20 meters of height, a maximum blade tip height of 165m. Mercury say this will help reduce stress on the blades and increase their lifespan. [19]
Power will be exported via a new 18 km (11 mi) 33,000-volt line to Transpower's Gore substation. [20]