About the Brooklyn wind turbine

Meridian owns and manages New Zealand's first commercial wind turbine in Brooklyn, Wellington.

The Electricity Corporation of New Zealand installed the Brooklyn wind turbine in March 1993. It was part of a research project to find out how wind turbines perform in New Zealand conditions.

Meridian inherited the single turbine when the company was formed in 1999.

In winds of between 50km/hour and 80km/hour, the turbine can generate up to 225kW of electricity.

The wind turbine generates enough electricity each year for about 80 average New Zealand homes.

Power generated by the turbine is fed into the local energy network for general distribution in Wellington.

Brooklyn wind turbine

Latest developments

Meridian is investigating replacing the Brooklyn wind turbine as it comes to the end of its 20 year design life.

In 2010 the turbine experienced mechanical issues which put it out of action for several months.

Meridian asked Wellingtonians whether they wanted to keep the Brooklyn turbine. The public started a “save the Brooklyn wind turbine” Facebook page and a Dominion Post reader survey showed 85% wanted to repair or replace it.

Meridian’s land lease agreement with Wellington City Council for the Brooklyn turbine expires in March 2013. It was initially for 15 years and was extended for a further 5 years in 2008.

In October 2012, Wellington City Council extended the land lease. Meridian is now investigating how to replace the aging turbine.

The next stages in the project are to:

• talk to the community
• develop effects reports covering traffic, noise and visual effects
• investigate the most appropriate turbine for the site

Why build a wind turbine here?

The Brooklyn site was chosen because of Wellington’s strong winds.

Its operation has provided valuable information in assessing the benefits of wind power generation in New Zealand.