MERCURY MOBILE
The Tararua Wind Farm stands on 700 hectares of private farmland in the Tararua Ranges, in the lower North Island of New Zealand.
Turbines: 103 Vestas V47-660 kW wind turbines Maximum capacity: 68 MW Average annual output: 245 GWh Commissioned: 1999 (Stage 1) and 2004 (Stage 2) When it was completed in 1999, Stage 1 was the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. For many years, it was the best performing commercial wind farm in the world. The original turbines have already generated more than twice the designed production volumes. The Vestas V47 turbines have three 23.5m long blades and are mounted on a 40m high steel lattice tower. Stages 1 & 2 connect to Powerco's Palmerston North distribution network via twin 33,000 volt lines.
Turbines: 31 Vestas V90-3MW wind turbines Maximum capacity: 93 MW Average annual output: 318 GWh Commissioned: 2007 The Vestas V90 turbines have three 45m long blades Three of the V90 turbines were the first Vestas turbines in the world to reach production of 100 million kilowatt hours, further cementing the site's reputation as one of the best in the world. Stage 3 connects into Transpower's national grid via a tee off one circuit of the Bunnythorpe to Linton 220,000-volt transmission line.
Mercury acquired Taraua wind farm from Tilt Renewables in August 2021.Combined, the wind farm produces an average annual power output of over 560GWh.
Mercury’s wind farms above Ashhurst and Palmerston North create renewable energy from fresh air, while communities all around us are caring for people, place and future.
We’ve created a Community Fund to be able to support some of this great work.
The Mercury Manawatū Community Fund is an annual fund of $30,000 to support organisations and projects that benefit the communities in this region. This fund is open from 1 October to 31 October each year.
Click here to find out more information.