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Meridian is very pleased to have formed a partnership with community trust owned Waikato Energy Limited, (WEL) which proposes to see Meridian construct Project Te Uku.
Project Te Uku is a 28 turbine wind farm proposal to be built on private land on the Wharauroa Plateau, approximately 30 km west of Hamilton, and south-east and inland of Raglan.
The wind farm will generate 64.4 megawatts, enough power to provide the average annual needs of around 30,000 homes and to displace 145,000 tonnes annually of carbon dixoide emissions from electricity that would otherwise be produced by fossil fuels.
Project Te Uku is unique in that it is the first wind farm built by alliance between between a community power trust and a state-owned power generator and retailer.
WEL Networks is a provider of electricity distribution services to the Waikato. Owned by a community trust, WEL Energy Trust, WEL Networks owns, develops and maintains the electricity network of lines, cables, substations and associated infrastructure. The WEL networks distribution system connects 80,000 customers to the national grid and generation facilities.
Project Te Uku represents an alliance between two organisations with strong beliefs and experience in supporting community initiatives and a commitment to running their businesses in ways that improve the lives of New Zealanders while providing the electricity to the Waikato, first, and then the rest of the country.
view from Pond Road
photo simulation of the view from Pond Road
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