Siemens Energy and Meridian Energy have signed an order for the supply of 28 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines for the Te Uku wind power project near Hamilton, New Zealand. The wind farm is scheduled to come on line in 2011 and will have a capacity of 64 megawatts (MW), which is enough power to meet the needs of 30,000 households. It is estimated that the project will save approximately 145,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

“New Zealand’s abundance of natural wind resources is ideal for wind power generation”, said Andreas Nauen, CEO of the Siemens Wind Power Business Unit. “Siemens and Meridian Energy initially worked together on the West Wind project which was recently commissioned ahead of schedule. We are confident that the follow-up project at Te Uku will also be a great success."

The scope of supply for Siemens includes the delivery and installation of the 28 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines. Furthermore, Meridian Energy and Siemens signed a two-year service and maintenance contract. According to the company’s press release, the project is the first wind power plant in New Zealand to be built in partnership between Siemens and Meridian Energy.

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