Major Components for Wind Farm Arrive at South Port

Two significant components of the Kaiwera wind farm, including 67-meter long blades and 88-meter towers, arrived at South Port at 3 AM yesterday. These parts will be transported to the wind farm managed by Mercury Energy, marking a crucial step in the wind farm’s development.

Preparation and Local Impact

Site manager Stu Davie, a lifelong resident of Gore, stated that his team has been preparing the grounds for the turbines since June 2022. Various specialist teams have been working diligently to ensure everything is ready for the arrival of these large components. The parts will be handed over to assembly crews, who will utilize a crane to fit them together, akin to assembling Lego pieces. The large-scale assembly is scheduled to commence on November 24.

Mr. Davie, who previously owned an earth-moving and cable-laying business, expressed his experience from the first stage of the wind farm project, which concluded in 2023. Now managing the second stage, he is well-acquainted with the complexities that can arise during construction, particularly concerning the weather. Last month, the site withstood strong winds, recording a maximum gust of 156 km/h, which was fortunate compared to other regions further south.

Over the past three years, the team has developed relationships with local residents in Mataura and Gore. They have also offered assistance to local farmers during periods of extreme weather last year. Mr. Davie noted the positive economic impact of the wind farm on local businesses, with an increase in sales of coffee and pies in town, alongside accommodations and meals purchased by the visiting teams from across the country.

Environmental Considerations and Workforce Dynamics

In a previous discussion with The Ensign in April, Mr. Davie highlighted efforts to restore the hilly farms to their original state while preparing the site for the turbines. Crushed rocks from the excavation process are being repurposed into durable access roads, and a private airstrip is being rebuilt on the property. Although the company aimed to hire local contractors, finding experts for such large-scale operations in Southland proved challenging. Nevertheless, contractors from Christchurch, Timaru, and the West Coast have ensured that approximately half of the workforce comprises local residents.

Once both stages of the Kaiwera wind farm are completed, it will achieve an impressive installed capacity of 198 megawatts. This capacity is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 93,000 homes, significantly contributing to the region’s renewable energy landscape.