New Zealand is going to get a new 64 MW wind farm – the Te Uku – located near Hamilton. The wind farm is going to be using 28 Siemens SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines. Te Uku is scheduled to be completed in 2011, and will be able to generate enough clean electricity for about 30,000 average homes in the area. The developer of the Te Uku wind farm, and Siemens' partner in the supply agreement is Meridian Energy.

Photo simulation of the Te Uku wind farm (wind turbines visible at the upper edge of the hills in the background).

According to the agreement, Siemens will provide delivery and installation of the turbines. Additionally, Siemens has entered into a two-year service and maintenance contract as well. This is not the first wind energy project between these two companies. In October, Siemens commissioned another Merdian Energy owned wind farm, the 143 MW West Wind wind farm, now supplying about 70,000 homes with clean electricity.

New Zealand has abundant wind energy resources, with consistent strong wind speeds, making the country an ideal wind energy development region.

[source: Siemens, image: Meridian Energy]