Waipipi windfarm project update

Construction of the Waipipi Windfarm is forging ahead, and, despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 lockdown, electrification is still on track to take place on time.

The arrival of the massive turbine components, particularly the 64-metre-long blades, at Port Taranaki has really raised the profile of the project.

“It is great to be part of a partnership, which is bringing a considerable amount of economic benefit to the region,” says Joe Hanita, PKW’s Chief Financial Officer. “The sight of the turbine blades making their way down State Highway 45 on the back of a truck was certainly an interesting one!”

The name of the site was chosen by local iwi Ngaa Rauru and gifted during a sod turning ceremony last November that signaled the official start of the construction phase.

Tilt Renewables, which also own and operate New Zealand’s largest wind farm, the Tararua Wind Farm in Palmerston North, has ensured the

local community is fully involved in the project with a dedicated liaison group.

“It has been great to see our people being given this chance to reconnect with their whenua, through the gifting of a name,” says Joe. “Our involvement is also a good example of how we can leverage our core asset by finding alternative environmentally-sustainable ways to use it that will bring solid returns for generations to come.”

Eight turbines will stand on the PKW section of the 980-hectare site, out of a total of 31. So far, the turbine platforms have all been completed, and ground improvement work and foundation construction are close to completion too.

Another ship loaded with 13 hubs, 10 towers and 33 blades is due to leave China in a few weeks’ time to be here for when the 130-metre-high turbines

are erected.

Once Waipipi is fully commissioned, it will generate 455 Gigawatt hours (GW-h) which will feed into the national grid via an 11km 110kV overhead transmission line. The power it provides will be enough to serve more than 65,000 homes.

“Unlocking the potential of this land has created an income revenue stream for PKW for at least the next 30 to 50 years,” says Joe. “Progressing our diversification policy in this way shows we are keeping a strategic eye on our vision of sustainable prosperity for all Taranaki Māori.

“We are looking forward to monitoring the progress being made as the construction phase heats up at Waipipi.”

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