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Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm
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 ResourceThe 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. ConstructionThe 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 1Installation 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 2Mercury 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 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 alsoReferences
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