Contact Energy turns to wind

Wind generation experts Roaring40s Wind Power will work with Contact Energy to develop a pipeline of large-scale wind farm opportunities in New Zealand during the next six years.

That’s under the terms of a new arrangement between the two, with wind power being added to Contact Energy’s geothermal and hydro portfolio.

The Plimmerton-based Roaring40s team of Paul Botha, Graeme Mills and Steve Harding are the country’s “pre-eminent” wind development experts, Contact Energy chief executive Mike Fuge says.

“This sends a strong signal that Contact is serious about exploring high quality wind generation options to meet higher market demand scenarios and accelerated decarbonisation.

“A pipeline of flexible and low-cost wind projects will complement our high quality, low-cost, baseload geothermal development pipeline. As the economics around wind technology continue to improve, wind options will provide effective competition for our geothermal developments.”

Paul Botha from Roaring40s says it’s a very exciting time to be involved in renewable generation in New Zealand.

The consultancy was established in 2018 and has expertise around investigating and developing wind farm projects, from site identification through to design and tendering.