GENERATION NEW BUILDS AND UPGRADES
We are adding 36 new turbines to the Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm near Gore in Southland. This $486 million investment will increase the wind farm’s total capacity from 43MW to a total of 198MW - making it the second largest wind farm in New Zealand. We’re adding enough new electricity to power the equivalent of about 73,000 homes once we reach full generation - expected by the end of the 2026 calendar year.
In 2026 we completed the expansion of our Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station. The $220 million project added a fifth generation unit to the station and increased the annual generation outpiut by 390GWh - that is the equivalent of enough power for about 55,000 homes, about the same as the number of residential homes in Tauranga city.
We have completed a ~$90m upgrade to the Karāpiro hydro station replacing all three of the generation units. The three-year project increased the capacity of the station from 96MW to 112.5MW - enough new renewable electricity to power 4,000 additional households.
We are working on a $169m geothermal drilling campaign to sustain the capacity of the Kawerau, Ngā Tamariki and Rotokawa geothermal fields to maintain the generation capacity at these power stations for the long term.
We are undertaking work to address erosion on the river banks around the control gates, and will use the opportunity to refurbish one set of the control gates as well. There is no immediate safety or operational risks, however it’s important this planned work is advanced now to ensure the control gates can operate reliably.
This work will reduce the risk of water seepage and internal erosion of the dam abutment, which is a concrete wall providing structural support for the dam. The dam is still safe and fit for everyday use.
The Puketoi wind farm development is on the Puketoi Range, 40km south of Dannevirke and 39km east of the Turitea Wind Farm. We’re presently at the feasibility and pre-reconsenting stage. When built, the Puketoi wind farm will have a capacity of around 228MW, generating approximately 1,040GWh per year. Final Investment Decision is anticipated to be made in 2026.
We are preparing resource consent reports and application for a grid-scale battery (potentially 100MW to 150MW) at our Whakamaru hydro station near Taupō. Our next steps after consenting will include design development and procurement.
Stage 2 of of the Mahinerangi Wind Farm will be known as Puke Kapo Hau and we are progressing plans to develop the balance of the consented wind farm at the site. Our proposed plan comprises up to 44 turbines, installed capacity of up to 190MW and an annual generation of about 550GWh, enough to power the equivalent of about 68,000 average homes every year.
We’re proposing to build a wind farm in North Waikato, located on farmland west of Huntly. The proposed project area being considered is broad, and is bordered by Highway 22, Rotowaro Road and Hetherington Road. The proposal could involve planning for up to 85 turbines with an installed capacity of about 300 MW.
We are presently developing a repowering strategy for our Tararua wind farm near Palmerston North. We expect to achieve an 60MW uplift in total capacity, increasing the annual generation by around 270GWh per annum. This project is planned beyond 2030.