Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm will power 375,000 EVs

Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm 33 northern section foundations for turbines have been completed and turbine blades arrive for installation after Easter.

Contractors Vestas and Downer Group celebrated the milestone and finishing the concrete pour ahead of winter weather and are well underway on the southern section earthworks for a further 27 turbines at the Tararua Ranges site east of Palmerston North.

“Installation of Vestas’ state-of-the art V112-3.6MW turbines has commenced on the completed foundations”, Vestas senior project manager Kenn Wood says.

“While the on-site development of this project has been challenging, Vestas is proud to deliver sustainable projects like Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm that contribute to the country’s clean energy transition.
With a total capacity of 222MW, Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm will generate enough renewable energy annually to power around 375,000 EVs.

The transmission infrastructure to serve the wind farm, contracted separately by Mercury, is now largely complete, with wind turbines and the substation being constructed.

“As the key civil and electrical work subcontractor for Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm, Downer has committed a total of 500,000 hours and 100 site staff to reach this milestone,” Downer Group NZ infrastructure executive general manager John Burden says.

Mercury’s generation development manager Dennis Radich says Mercury is pleased to see the wind farm reach the milestone and looks forward to completion of the asset that will contribute a further 2% renewable electricity to the national grid.

Upon completion, Vestas will deliver a 25-year, full-scope service agreement for the wind farm.