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Customer: Meridian Energy Ltd Contract: Procure, Install, Commission Location: Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand
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Fast Facts
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We were engaged by Meridian Energy Ltd to provide electrical services for their Te Apiti wind farm, one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. The wind farm consists of 55 turbines each capable of generating 1.65 MW.
Our scope included ‘balance of plant’ procurement, installation testing and commissioning of 4.5 km of 110 kV transmission line, 48 km underground cabling and 110/22 kV, 100 MVA substation.
The project was very challenging for many reasons. It was fast tracked and needed to be competed within a very short timeframe. Te Apiti was the first wind farm in New Zealand to be connected directly to the National Grid and was one of first new power stations to be subject to the requirements of new electricity Governance Rules.
Adding to the program challenges, during construction we had a 100-year flood causing interruptions for six weeks.
The substation design included state of art communication system and VAR compensation (using Statcon units). The site was difficult with steep drop-off, unstable soil, streams and numerous gullies.
The success of delivering this project within time and on budget was due to a proactive and positive team spirit and successful teamwork. The team shared and celebrated success and also worked closely together to meet critical project milestones.
It was a major achievement in New Zealand’s generation industry that a 90 MW capacity plant could be constructed within a twelve-month period.
