Siemens to deliver wind turbines for New Zealand’s largest wind farm

The official groundbreaking of New Zealand’s largest wind farm, with a total capacity exceeding 140 megawatts (MW), took place on September 27 and was attended Prime Minister Helen Clark.

The new order from New Zealand is the first large order for the Siemens Wind Power from the Pacific Region. The 62 wind turbines for the West Wind project have a capacity of 2.3 MW each and are to be delivered at the end of 2008. Blades and nacelles will be shipped from Denmark. The total scope of supply includes installation, startup, project management and a two year service agreement. The wind farm is expected to start full commercial operation in the second half of 2009.

Only recently the New Zealand government announced its ambitious plans to fight climate change. The country’s electricity sector is to become carbon neutral by 2025 with 90 per cent of electricity supply to originate from renewable energy sources. Wind power will play a major role in achieving these targets. Meridian Energy Ltd. is already supplying more than one third of New Zealand’s electricity demand, based on hydro and wind power only.

“Siemens technology will play an important role in building up a carbon-neutral energy sector in New Zealand”, said Andreas Nauen, Head of the Siemens Wind Power Division. “We will deliver our most advanced wind power technology to support New Zealand’s plans for climate protection. Our wind turbines are reliable, cost-efficient and climate friendly and will help to secure a sustainable future energy supply in the Pacific region and on a global scale.”-Siemens