Meridian Annual Report - Meridian Energy

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Meridian’s proposal to build and operate the
Ross Island wind farm in Antarctica is an
example of innovation and a demonstration
of our commitment to sustainability.
Renewable generation
Over the past four years, Meridian has gained increased experience
in designing, consenting and constructing major renewable generation
projects. Our project teams have delivered quality wind farms
in challenging locations and have developed significant expertise in
managing the technical complexity of major developments in both
New Zealand and Australia.
In the past year, the 58MW White Hill wind farm in Southland was
completed following an event in June 2007 to celebrate first power.
Both White Hill and Te Āpiti wind farms have made a valuable contribution
to Meridian’s generation capacity during the 2007/08 year.
Beginning construction on the 142MW Project West Wind during the
year was a major milestone for Meridian. West Wind, with 62 turbines
of 2.3MW each, will be the best wind farm in New Zealand. As
a result of its size and high load factor, it will provide enough power
for most of the households in the Wellington region. First power is
expected early next year with completion due by the end of 2009,
a little over two years after construction began.
Meridian’s proposal to build and operate the Ross Island wind farm
in Antarctica is an example of innovation and a demonstration of
our commitment to sustainability. The wind farm will incorporate
three turbines of 330kW each and will provide power to, and link
the grids between, McMurdo Station (operated by the United
States) and New Zealand’s Scott Base. It will reduce annual fuel
consumption used for power generation at the two stations by
463,000 litres. Construction is due to begin this summer with the
installation of turbine foundations and electrical equipment, to be
completed in the following summer season (2009/10).
Meridian is also active in Australia, following the experience it gained
buying, operating, developing and then selling Southern Hydro
Limited. Landowner agreements have been secured for the proposed
330MW Macarthur wind farm in Victoria, which achieved Ministerial
approval to proceed in late 2006. Meridian has a joint venture
development agreement with AGL to design and construct this wind
farm. Work is underway on final planning approvals and transmission
agreements. Construction is expected to start in early 2009.
Upcoming consenting
projects
In New Zealand, Meridian’s focus continues on consenting and
developing a balanced portfolio of renewable generation projects.
In the South Island this includes a mix of hydro and wind opportunities,
while in the North Island it is mainly wind because of the
limited availability of suitable hydro generation sites.
The 176 turbine Project Hayes wind farm, around 70km northwest of
Dunedin on the Lammermoor Ranges, would provide up to 630MW
of renewable power and provide a huge boost to South Island and
national security of supply. The project was granted resource consent
in October 2007 but was appealed to the Environment Court.
The appeal hearing commenced in May 2008, but has since been
adjourned until early 2009.
Two North Island wind projects were progressed in the past year:
Mill Creek and Central Wind. Resource consent applications for Mill
Creek, a proposed 71MW wind farm north of Project West Wind near
Wellington, were lodged in March 2008 and the hearing process is
underway. Applications for the 130MW Central Wind project north
of Taihape were lodged in June 2008.
The Mokihinui Hydro Project, a proposed 80-100MW dam on the
West Coast of the South Island, would provide enough power for the
region and significantly boost security of supply in an area fed by
one of the longest transmission routes in the country. The resource
consent hearing for this project commenced in August 2008.
In South Canterbury, Meridian is seeking water only consents for the
North Bank Tunnel Concept, a proposed 200-285MW hydro scheme
on the lower Waitaki River, as well as for the Hunter Downs irrigation
scheme, which would also utilise water from the Waitaki River
and irrigate a large area of South Canterbury.
Meridian is also proposing an increased water discharge for the
Manapouri hydro station which would improve the efficiency of the
station, highlighted as a priority as a result of this winter’s power
situation. There has been extensive consultation with stakeholders
during the preparation of the Assessment of Environmental Effects
and lodgement of this proposal is expected by the end of 2008.