Vestas has won a 103 MW engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from electricity generator and retailer Mercury.
Vestas said the commissioning of the additional 27 turbines at Turitea Wind Farm will start in the second quarter of 2021.
The deal will extend Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm from 119 MW to 222 MW, improving the cost of energy and making Mercury’s first wind project the largest wind park in New Zealand.
The wind farm, situated near Palmerston North, will feature 27 Vestas V112-3.45 MW turbines delivered in 3.8 MW Power Optimised Mode, alongside the initial 33 Vestas V112-3.35 MW turbines operating in 3.6 MW.
“Fully developing the Turitea Wind Farm will capture more of New Zealand’s great wind resources through regional investment, further lowering the project’s cost of energy and allowing us to provide New Zealand with more affordable and sustainable renewable energy”, said Mercury Chief Executive Fraser Whineray.
“The deal will further strengthen our leadership position in the New Zealand market, expand our service footprint and create local jobs,” Clive Turton, Vestas Asia Pacific President.
The Turitea Wind Farm will increase Vestas’ installed capacity in New Zealand to 568 MW.
Upon completion, Vestas will commence a 25-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement, designed to maximize energy production for the lifetime of the project.