Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm
| 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 | 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]
Location and Resource
[edit]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.
Construction
[edit]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]
Stage 1
[edit]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]
Stage 2
[edit]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]
Construction of stage 2 began in July 2024.[20]
Transmission
[edit]
Power from Stage 1 is exported via a new 18 km (11 mi) 33,000-volt line to Transpower's Gore substation.[21]
Power from Stage 2 will be exported via a short new 220Kv transmission line connecting to Transpower’s North Makarewa to Three Mile Hill Line.[22]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Sonia Gerken (4 April 2008). "Wind farm carbon savings 'could be worth 25m'". The Southland Times. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
- ^ a b "Mercury opens Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore". Stuff. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm". Tilt Renewables. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ Glenn Conway (5 July 2008). "Appeals lodged against wind farm". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (26 September 2018). "Kaiwera Downs wind farm still on the horizon". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (11 June 2021). "Kaiwera Downs windfarm project still viable in Southland". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Logan Savory (22 June 2022). "Talks ramp up around Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore". Stuff. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ Geraden Cann (13 September 2022). "Construction on new wind farm near Gore will begin in October". Stuff. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ "Wind farm 'something we will have to learn to live with'". Otago Daily Times. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ "Mercury NZ commits to $115m wind farm near Gore". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (4 October 2022). "Earthworks begin at Mercury Energy's $115m Kaiwera wind farm". Stuff. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (3 November 2022). "Southland has an exciting future in wind generation". Stuff. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "2023 Interim Report by Mercury - Issuu". issuu.com. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ "Big job transporting turbine parts to Kaiwera Downs". Stuff. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (19 July 2023). "Two turbines up, eight to go at Mercury's new wind farm". Stuff. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Mercury Energy champions renewable growth as it switches on Kaiwera Downs wind farm". New Zealand Herald. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "NZX, New Zealand's Exchange". www.nzx.com. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ a b Kelly, Rachael (21 August 2023). "More turbines a possibility for Kaiwera Downs wind farm". Stuff. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Rachael Kelly (26 July 2024). "Expansion of Mercury's Kaiwera Downs wind farm launched". Stuff. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm Newsletter February 2023.
- ^ "Gore District Council Consent Variation Decision for Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm" (PDF). 18 July 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2024.
External links
[edit]- "Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm". Tilt Renewables. Retrieved 24 June 2018.