Te Rere Hau wind
New Zealand’s first-ever wind farm repowering project
Meridian and NZ Windfarms have formed a 50-50 joint venture to repower and extend the Te Rere Hau wind farm. The parties are now undertaking various activities on behalf of the joint venture to work towards a Final Investment Decision and Financial Close.
The project involves the design, construction and operation of up to 39 new turbines with a generation capacity of up to 170 megawatts. This will be New Zealand’s first wind farm repowering project and has the potential to generate seven times the annual renewable energy production of the existing fleet.
About the project
The Te Rere Hau wind farm is located near Palmerston North on the Tararua Range, which offers some of the best wind resources in New Zealand. Originally constructed in 2006 with five turbines, it currently has 91 small turbines with a total installed capacity of 45.5 megawatts.
The parties estimate the capital cost of the repowering project to be $500 million to $600 million, with the project expected to be completed in Q4 2027.
Consenting
In May 2023 NZ Windfarms obtained a two-year fast-track consent for the first phase of the project, consisting of 30 new larger turbines.
The second phase of the project involves a fast-track consent for an extension (the Aokautere Extension Project), for which an Expert Consenting Panel has been appointed to consider the resource consent application. This extension involves a further nine turbines on an adjacent piece of land.
NZ Windfarms has also secured conditional access to a new transmission corridor through a combination of a land purchase and an easement, allowing the new wind farm to connect directly to the Transpower Bunnythorpe-to-Wilton transmission line.
Meridian’s role
Meridian will lead the remaining project development and construction activities and take 100% of the electricity offtake.
Meridian also owns a 19.99% stake in NZ Windfarms that it acquired by placement and underwrite in October 2023 and December 2023.
Key dates
- December 2023: Formation of joint venture
- Q3 2025: Decommissioning of existing Te Rere Hau wind turbines
- Q3 2025: Commencement of construction
- Q4 2027: Project completion
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