Ann out, update to Te Rere Hau
Statement
NZ Windfarms Ltd
July 4 2008
Update on Te Rere Hau Project
Work has commenced on the erection of the 28 turbine towers, which represent
Stage 2 of the Te Rere Hau wind farm in the hills above Palmerston North.
This next batch of turbines will rest on innovative foundations that go into
the soil much like a tree root and require 40 per cent less concrete than
traditional gravity pad designs.
"The foundations are smaller and smarter and reduce earthworks by about 60
per cent," says NZ Windfarms' CEO Chris Freear. "The plan is to get seven
towers up and ready to go before we start bringing the turbines onto site."
The turbines - Windflow 500 machines designed and manufactured in New Zealand
- will begin arriving at Te Rere Hau later in the month.
Cabling is also well underway with Te Rere Hau reticulation completed, and
the new high-grade cabling to connect the wind farm to the national grid
being laid at present.
Mr Freear said it was expected that by the end of August, 12 turbines - seven
Stage 2 and the five Stage 1 turbines - would be connected and exporting some
6 MW to the national grid.
He also reports that over the past few months roads have been completed
throughout the Te Rere Hau development to access the Stage 3 and Stage 4
turbine sites, while preparation of the Stage 3 turbine crane pads has also
commenced.
Added to this preliminary work for the Te Rere Hau site building is underway.
The building will house the wind-smiths responsible for the smooth running of
the wind farm and comprises an office, a workshop and the wind farm's control
room.
In keeping with its objective to be a successful developer and operator of
small to medium wind farms primarily generating for regional consumption, NZ
Windfarms is researching and evaluating other sites around the country. The
company has a 50-50 joint venture with NP and Babcock and Brown Wind Power
for the Te Rere Hau wind farm.
For further information about NZ Windfarms visit www.nzwindfarms.co.nz