Danish wind turbine-maker Vestas has secured engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from New Zealand-based electricity generator and retailer Mercury, to extend its Turitea wind farm.
The extension increases the wind farm’s capacity from 119MW to 222MW, improving the cost of energy.
Located near Palmerston North, the wind farm will now include a further 27 of Vestas V112-3.45 MW turbines delivered in 3.8MW power optimised mode, alongside the initial 33 Vestas V112-3.35 MW turbines operating in 3.6 MW.
Vestas Asia Pacific president Clive Turton said: “Vestas shares Mercury’s commitment to a sustainable future, and we are pleased to expand our relationship to complete New Zealand’s biggest wind farm.
“The deal will further strengthen our leadership position in the New Zealand market, expand our service footprint and create local jobs.”
With the latest turbine supply contract to the Turitea wind farm, Vestas’ will increase its installed capacity in New Zealand to 568MW.
Mercury chief executive Fraser Whineray said: “We are pleased to be able to complete this project with Vestas by encompassing all 60 consented turbines.
“Fully developing the Turitea Wind Farm will capture more of New Zealand’s great wind resources through regional investment, further lowering the project’s cost of energy and allowing us to provide New Zealand with more affordable and sustainable renewable energy.”
Vestas will provide 25-year AOM 5000 service for Turitea Wind Farm
After the EPC contract is completed, the 25-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement will be taken up by Vestas to maximise energy generation during the project’s lifetime.
Commissioning of the additional 27 turbines at the Turitea Wind Farm is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021.
Earlier this month, the Danish firm secured an order from Enlight Renewable Energy to supply V150-4.2MW turbines for its 113MW Målarberget wind project in Sweden. The wind project will be located in Norberg County.
For this order, the company will also provide a 30-year Active Output Management (AOM 5000) service agreement to optimise energy production for the lifetime of the project.
