Wind power in New Zealand
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/Windflow%27s_prototype_windmill.jpg/220px-Windflow%27s_prototype_windmill.jpg)
Wind power constitutes a small but growing proportion of New Zealand's electricity. As of November 2023, wind power accounts for 1,059 MW of installed capacity and over 6 percent of electricity generated in the country.[1]
New Zealand has abundant wind resources. The country is in the path of the Roaring Forties, strong and constant westerly winds, and the funneling effect of Cook Strait and the Manawatū Gorge increase the resource's potential. Over three-quarters (512 MW) of the country's wind generation is installed within a 150 km (93 mi) radius of Palmerston North, with some turbines in the area having a capacity factor of over 50 percent.[2]
Generation capacity and expansion
![Wind power in New Zealand is located in New Zealand](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/New_Zealand_location_map_transparent.svg/300px-New_Zealand_location_map_transparent.svg.png)
![Flat Hill Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Harapaki Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Hau Nui Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Mahinerangi Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Mill Creek Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Mt Stuart Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Tararua Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Te Āpiti Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Te Rere Hau Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Te Uku Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Turitea Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![Waipipi Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![West Wind Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
![White Hill Wind Farm](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png)
As of December 2020, New Zealand had an installed wind generation capacity of 690 MW. In the 2020 calendar year, wind power produced 2,282 GWh of electricity, 5.5 percent of the country's electricity generation that year.[3]
A further 2,500 MW of wind farms have received resource consent.[4]
The New Zealand Wind Energy Association predicts that wind could reach 20 percent of New Zealand's annual generation by 2035.[5]
Wind potential
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Brooklyn_wind_turbine.jpg/220px-Brooklyn_wind_turbine.jpg)
New Zealand has outstanding wind resources, due to its position astride the Roaring Forties, resulting in nearly continuous strong westerly winds over many locations, unimpeded by other nearby landmasses at similar latitude.[6] One study found that using 1% of total available land for wind farms would produce approximately 100,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year.[7]
Coping with intermittency
Wind farms partner well with hydro plants on the same grid to create combined power plants, because hydro plants can be uprated with extra turbine units to provide highly dispatchable peak generating capacity above the average flows of their rivers, at lower cost than other peak power options.[8]
List of operating wind farms
Only wind turbines and farms over 5 MW generating capacity are listed. Individual demonstration and prototype wind turbines have been installed at Southbridge in Canterbury,[9] Gebbies Pass near Christchurch and Brooklyn in Wellington. Many small windmills serve as windpumps on New Zealand farms.
Name | Commissioned | Operator | Region | Number of turbines | Installed capacity (MW) | Annual average generation (GWh)[10] | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flat Hill[11] | 2015 (September)[12] | Pioneer Energy | Southland | 8 | 6.8 | 46°35′S 168°17′E / 46.583°S 168.283°E / -46.583; 168.283 (Flat Hill Wind Farm) | |
Hau Nui | 1997 | Genesis Energy | South Wairarapa | 15 | 8.65 | 22 | 41°22′S 175°29′E / 41.367°S 175.483°E / -41.367; 175.483 (Hau Nui Wind Farm) |
Harapaki | 2023[13] | Meridian Energy | Hawke's Bay | 41[14] | 176[14] | 39°11′2″S 176°41′35″E / 39.18389°S 176.69306°E / -39.18389; 176.69306 (Harapaki Wind Farm) | |
Kaiwera Downs | 2023[15] | Mercury Energy | Southland | 10 | 43 | 148 | 46°14′29″S 169°3′21″E / 46.24139°S 169.05583°E / -46.24139; 169.05583 (Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm) |
Mahinerangi | 2011 (March) | Mercury Energy | Otago | 12 | 36 | 105 | 45°45′S 169°54′E / 45.750°S 169.900°E / -45.750; 169.900 (Mahinerangi Wind Farm) |
Mill Creek | 2014 (May)[16] | Meridian Energy | Wellington | 26 | 59.8 | 41°13′S 174°44′E / 41.217°S 174.733°E / -41.217; 174.733 (Mill Creek Wind Farm) | |
Mt Stuart[17] | 2011 (December) | Pioneer Energy | Otago | 9 | 7.65 | 46°4′S 169°46′E / 46.067°S 169.767°E / -46.067; 169.767 (Mt Stuart Wind Farm) | |
Tararua | 1999–2007 | Mercury Energy | Manawatū | 134 | 161 | 650 | 40°21′S 175°47′E / 40.350°S 175.783°E / -40.350; 175.783 (Tararua Wind Farm) |
Te Āpiti | 2004 | Meridian Energy | Manawatū | 55 | 91 | 258 | 40°18′S 175°48′E / 40.300°S 175.800°E / -40.300; 175.800 (Te Apiti Wind Farm) |
Te Rere Hau | 2006–11 | NZ Windfarms | Manawatū | 97 | 48.5 | 40°23′S 175°43′E / 40.383°S 175.717°E / -40.383; 175.717 (Te Rere Hau Wind Farm) | |
Te Uku | 2011 | WEL Networks / Meridian Energy | Waikato | 28 | 64.4 | 37°53′S 174°58′E / 37.883°S 174.967°E / -37.883; 174.967 (Te Uku Wind Farm) | |
Turitea[18] | 2021 (northern stage) 2023 (southern stage) | Mercury Energy | Manawatū | 60 | 220[13] | 40°26′28″S 175°40′17″E / 40.44111°S 175.67139°E / -40.44111; 175.67139 (Turitea Wind Farm) | |
Waipipi | 2020 (November) [19] | Mercury Energy | South Taranaki | 31 | 133.3 | 455 | 39°47′S 174°33′E / 39.783°S 174.550°E / -39.783; 174.550 (Waipipi Wind Farm) |
Project West Wind | 2009 | Meridian Energy | Wellington | 62 | 142.6 | 550 | 41°17′S 174°40′E / 41.283°S 174.667°E / -41.283; 174.667 (Project West Wind) |
White Hill | 2007 | Meridian Energy | Southland | 29 | 58 | 200 | 45°45′S 168°16′E / 45.750°S 168.267°E / -45.750; 168.267 (White Hill Wind Farm) |
Meridian Energy also operates a 1 MW wind farm on Ross Island, Antarctica. It is not included in the above list as it does not contribute electricity to the New Zealand national electricity network.[20][21]
Proposed and under construction
Name | Operator | Projected capacity (MW) | Status | Comments | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blackmount | Southern Generation | 35 | Proposed[22] | ||
Castle Hill Wind Farm | Genesis | 300 | Consented (expires 2031)[23] | 40°43′0″S 175°56′0″E / 40.71667°S 175.93333°E / -40.71667; 175.93333 (Castle Hill) | |
Glen Massey | Ventus Energy | 150 | Proposed | ||
Hapuakohe | Manawa Energy | 230 | Proposed[24] | ||
Kaihiku | Pioneer Energy / Manawa Energy | 300 | Proposed[25][26] | 46°16′3.66″S 169°26′33.74″E / 46.2676833°S 169.4427056°E / -46.2676833; 169.4427056 | |
Kaimai | Ventus Energy | 157 | Applied for Consent[27] | ||
Kaiwaikawe | Mercury Energy | 73 | Consented[28] | 35°52′8.6″S 173°43′50.85″E / 35.869056°S 173.7307917°E / -35.869056; 173.7307917 (Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm) | |
Kaiwera Downs (stage 2) | Mercury Energy | 185 | Under construction | 46°14′29″S 169°3′21″E / 46.24139°S 169.05583°E / -46.24139; 169.05583 (Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm) | |
Mahinerangi (stage 2) | Mercury Energy | 160 | Consented | 45°45′38″S 169°54′18″E / 45.76056°S 169.90500°E / -45.76056; 169.90500 (Mahinerangi Wind Farm) | |
Mount Cass | MainPower | 93 | Consented | As of 2024, project status is unclear after an investing company pulled out.[29] | 43°4′30″S 172°50′15″E / 43.07500°S 172.83750°E / -43.07500; 172.83750 (Mount Cass Wind Farm) |
Mount Munro | Meridian Energy | 90 | Proposed | 40°41′40″S 175°41′36″E / 40.69444°S 175.69333°E / -40.69444; 175.69333 | |
Ototoka | Manawa Energy | 150 | Proposed[30] | ||
Project Huriwaka | Manawa Energy | 230 | Proposed[31] | 39°31′52.02″S 175°48′25.7″E / 39.5311167°S 175.807139°E / -39.5311167; 175.807139 | |
Puketoi | Mercury Energy | 310 | Consented (expires 2031)[32][33] | 40°32′23″S 176°3′23″E / 40.53972°S 176.05639°E / -40.53972; 176.05639 | |
Southland (also formerly called "Slopedown") | Contact Energy | 330 | Proposed[34] | ||
South Taranaki Offshore Wind | Bluefloat | 900 | Proposed[35] | ||
Taumatatotara | Ventus Energy | 32 | Consented | Application for variation.[36] | 38°14′22.93″S 174°49′37.52″E / 38.2397028°S 174.8270889°E / -38.2397028; 174.8270889 |
Waikato Offshore Wind | Bluefloat | 1050–1400 | Proposed[37] | ||
Waiuku[38] | LET Capital | 80 | Consent declined[39] | 37°19′57.12″S 174°41′18.04″E / 37.3325333°S 174.6883444°E / -37.3325333; 174.6883444 | |
Te Rere Hau (repowering) | NZ Windfarms | Consented | Remove the 97 two-blade, 47m-high turbines already there and replace them with 30 three-blade, 162m-high turbines. | 40°23′S 175°43′E / 40.383°S 175.717°E / -40.383; 175.717 (Te Rere Hau Wind Farm) | |
Aokautere Extension | NZ Windfarms | 45 | Consented[40] | Extend the Te Rere Hau wind farm footprint to the northwest, into the Ernslaw forestry block. If successful, would be able to install up to nine new wind turbines of 5MW each capacity. |
Abandoned
Name | Operator | Projected capacity (MW) | Comments | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hauāuru mā raki | Contact Energy | 540 | Abandoned[41] | 37°34′4″S 174°48′18″E / 37.56778°S 174.80500°E / -37.56778; 174.80500 (Hauauru ma raki) |
Project Hayes | Meridian Energy | 630 | Abandoned in January 2012 | 45°30′39″S 169°53′3″E / 45.51083°S 169.88417°E / -45.51083; 169.88417 (Project Hayes) |
Project Hurunui | Meridian Energy | 71 | Consents lapsed in 2023[42] | 42°59′33″S 172°57′32″E / 42.992595°S 172.958794°E / -42.992595; 172.958794 |
Long Gully | Windflow Technology | 12.5 | Consents lapsed | 41°19′36″S 174°43′4″E / 41.32667°S 174.71778°E / -41.32667; 174.71778 (Long Gully Wind Farm) |
Maungatua Wind Farm[43][44] | Windpower Maungatua | 25 | Abandoned[45] | |
Motorimu Wind Farm[46] | Motorimu Wind Farm | 108 | Consents surrendered[47] | |
Project Gumfields[48] | Meridian Energy | 99 | No consents, apparently abandoned | |
Puketiro | RES NZ | 150 | No consents, apparently abandoned | 41°06′S 174°54′E / 41.100°S 174.900°E / -41.100; 174.900 (Puketiro Wind Farm) |
Rototuna | Meridian Energy | 500 | No consents, abandoned[49] | 36°15′0″S 174°1′48″E / 36.25000°S 174.03000°E / -36.25000; 174.03000 (Rototuna Wind Farm) |
Taharoa Wind Farm[50] | Taharoa C | 100 | Consents lapsed[51] | |
Waitahora | Contact Energy | 177 | Consents lapsed, abandoned[52] | 40°21′44″S 176°10′24″E / 40.36222°S 176.17333°E / -40.36222; 176.17333 (Waitahora Wind Farm) |
See also
References
- ^ "Wind power sets new records". Electricity Authority. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Bradley, Grant Bradley, Grant (7 June 2011). "Wellington winds too windy for wind farm". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Energy in New Zealand 2021". MBIE. August 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "New Zealand's wind farms". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "Wind Energy to be 20% of NZ Generation by 2035". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand wind resource". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
- ^ "New Zealand's Wind Resource". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
- ^ "Hydroelectric Power" (PDF). United States Bureau of Reclamation. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
- ^ New Zealand Wind Energy Association – Southbridge Wind Turbine Archived 4 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "List of Generating Stations". New Zealand Electricity Authority. November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ "Flat Hill". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ MCleod, Hannah (1 September 2015). "New Bluff wind farm can power 2500 homes". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Harapaki, NZ's 2nd-biggest wind farm, goes fully operational". New Zealand Herald. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Harapaki wind farm". Meridian Energy. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Mercury opens Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore". Stuff. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Meridian's new windfarm open". Dominion-Post. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ "Proposed Mt Stuart Windfarm Information". Clutha District Council. Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
- ^ Cook, Alexa (8 May 2021). "First stage of Mercury's Turitea Wind Farm to be switched on in October after year-long delay". Newshub. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Wind power blows in to South Taranaki". Stuff. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "Ross Island wind farm". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Archived from the original on 17 November 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
- ^ "McCully opens Antarctic wind farm". The New Zealand Herald. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ Rachel Kelly (1 December 2022). "Southern Generation proposes to build a wind farm at Southland's Jericho Station". Stuff. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Wind farm halves in size". Wairarapa Times-Age. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Hapuakohe Wind Farm". Manawa Energy. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Plan for large South Otago wind farm". Otago Daily Times. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Proposal for South Otago wind farm unveiled". Stuff. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ Lawrence Gullery (28 September 2018). "Wind farm's towering turbines worry nearby Te Aroha residents". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ "THE KAIWAIKAWE WIND FARM". Mercury Energy. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ Ian Allen (19 July 2024). "Plans for massive wind farm on South Island ridgeline up in air". Marlborough Express. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ "Ototoka Wind Farm". Manawa Energy. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Manawa gains rights to develop 230MW Central NI wind farm". New Zealand Herald. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ Janine Rankin (5 June 2013). "Puketoi wind farm gets final go-ahead". Stuff. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Janine Rankin (18 March 2023). "Winding road to turbine sites provides lessons for next wind farm projects". Stuff. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ Harding, Evan (8 November 2023). "Contact Energy to lodge $1b Southland wind farm consent application by year's end". Stuff. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand's first offshore wind farm gets underway in Taranaki". Stuff. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Wind farm proposed near Taharoa". Stuff. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "$6 billion-plus wind farm investment blowing Waikato's way". Stuff. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Waiuku locals 'blindsided' by wind farm project". RNZ. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Waiuku Wind Farm: The decision". Environmental Protection Authority. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Janine Rankin (26 August 2024). "Consent granted for Te Rere Hau wind farm extension". Stuff. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Windfarm backtrack has heavy cost". Stuff. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Meridian Energy Limited v Hurunui District Council [2013] NZEnvC 261 (4 November 2013) https://www.nzlii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/nz/cases/NZEnvC/2013/261.html "In accordance with section 125(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991, this resource consent will lapse if not given effect to within ten years of commencement."
- ^ "Mt Maungatua wind-farm proposal grows 25%". Otago Daily Times. 15 July 2008.
- ^ 6 month report to 31 December 2008, NZ Windfarms Limited, 2 March 2009. Quote: "the WindPower Maungatua wind farm ... is now unlikely to proceed in the near future, if at all".
- ^ "Wind farm development abandoned". Otago Daily Times. 29 August 2009.
- ^ "Notice of Decision" (PDF). Joint Hearings Commissioners. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
- ^ Miller, Grant (25 August 2009). "Wind farm idea off table as liquidators surrender consent". The Manawatu Standard.
- ^ "Windfarm investigation blows on". Northern News. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "Kaipara settlement trust joins one billion tree scheme". 5 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ NZPA (2 February 2006). "Three wind farms planned for Waikato". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "Taharoa". New Zealand Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ McKay, Christine (31 August 2016). "Surprise at windfarm consent expiry". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
External links
Download coordinates as:
- KML
- GPX (all coordinates)
- GPX (primary coordinates)
- GPX (secondary coordinates)
- New Zealand Wind Energy Association
- "Carbon neutral wind energy can close off nuclear option" (PDF). New Zealand Wind Energy Association. 13 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
Media related to Wind power in New Zealand at Wikimedia Commons