Construction of Meridian Energy's 64 MW Te Uku wind farm, near Raglan in the Waikato, is well under way.
Work began at site in November 2009. The first phase of construction focused on building 26 kilometres of roads, which are required for transporting the turbine components to their sites. The roads took approximately six months to construct and were completed in April 2010.
Approximately 90% of the 70kms of electricity cables, which connect the wind turbines to the onsite switching station, have been installed. Construction of the transmission line to connect the wind farm to Wel Networks' substation began in March. Around eight kilometres of the 25 kilometre line is being undergrounded.
The first of 28 turbine foundation was poured in April. Each octagon-shaped turbine foundation requires roughly 394 cubic metres of concrete (equal to 80 truckloads) to create a foundation that is two metres thick and 16.5 metres in diameter. Approximately one foundation is poured each week and the final foundation will be completed in September, weather permitting.
The wind turbines will begin arriving at site in September, and some are now expected to be operating and generating electricity before the end of 2010.
Around 40,000 native plants are being planted on the wind farm site by Raglan company Whaingaroa Harbour Care. During the consent process, the regional council identified two wetlands on the property as ecologically significant for the region. The 40,000 plants are being planted within these two wetland areas – a total of 4.56 hectares – and will help improve water quality downstream.
The wind farm will have 28 Siemens 2.3 megawatt wind turbines, giving a combined capacity of 64.4 megawatts. The wind farm is being built as a partnership between community trust-owned electricity distribution company, WEL Networks, and Meridian Energy. Meridian will build and operate the turbines, as well as owning the electricity generated by the turbines. WEL Networks will own and manage the electrical lines and substation within the wind farm as well as the high voltage line to connect the wind farm to the grid.
Te Uku will be New Zealand's northern most wind farm, continuing the diversification of wind energy away from the Manawatu and the Lower North Island.
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