| Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm | |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Location: | Gore |
| Coordinates: | -46.2414°N 169.0558°W |
| Cost: | 115m (stage 1) |
| Owner: | Mercury Energy |
| Wind Farm Type: | Onshore |
| Wind Hub Height: | 77m |
| Wind Rotor Diameter: | 136m |
| Ps Site Elevation: | 400m – 460m |
| Ps Units Operational: | 10 x 4.3MW |
| Ps Units Manu Model: | V136-4.2 MW in 4.3 MW operating mode |
| Ps Units Planned: | 155 MW |
| Ps Annual Generation: | 148 GWh (Stage 1) |
| Construction Began: | October 2022 |
| Commissioned: | November 2023 |
The Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm is a wind farm in the Southland region of New Zealand. It is consented to have a maximum capacity of 240MW and use up to 83 turbines.[1] Originally proposed by Trustpower, it is now owned and operated by Mercury Energy. The 10 turbine, 43MW stage 1 of the project was opened in November 2023.[2]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "hot food" for Kaiwera.[3]
The wind farm is located about 15 kilometres south-east of Gore, within an area of 2568ha.[4] Access to the site from the port at Bluff is "considered excellent".
The prevailing south-west/ westerly winds blow with an average wind speed of 8.7 – 8.9 m/s.
The project received resource consent in June 2008.[5] In September 2018 Tilt said that the development was waiting for favourable market conditions.[6] In June 2021 Tilt announced the project was being acquired by Mercury Energy.[7] In June 2022 Mercury began talks with the local community over the wind farm.[8]
Installation of an initial ten turbines totalling 43MW of generation is expected to start in October 2022.[9] [10] [11] Earthworks began in the first week of October 2022.[12] A sod-turning ceremony was held in November 2022.[13] As of February 2023, Mercury say they expect all turbines to be operational by October 2023.[14] The first turbines arrived in April 2023, and were transported to the site during May and June.[15] As of July 2023, two of ten turbines had been erected, and the wind farm was expected to be complete by October.[16] As of mid October 8 of 10 turbines are operational and stage 1 of the project is on track to be completed by the end of October. The wind farm was officially opened on 20 November.[2] [17]
Mercury is building stage 2 of the project starting in June 2024 with first generation coming on stream by mid-2026 and completion by mid-2027. They are building an additional 155MW of capacity. [18] In June 2023 they received approval to amend their resource consent.[19] This change reduces the total number of turbines for the project from 83 to 66 but allows the remaining turbines to be built with an additional 20 meters of height, a maximum blade tip height of 165m. Mercury say this will help reduce stress on the blades and increase their lifespan.
Construction of stage 2 began in July 2024.[20]
Power from Stage 1 is exported via a new 18km (11miles) 33,000-volt line to Transpower's Gore substation.[21]
Power from Stage 2 will be exported via a short new 220Kv transmission line connecting to Transpower’s North Makarewa to Three Mile Hill Line.[22]