26 November 2009 - Siemens 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 MW.
The Te Uku project will see the first installation of the new Siemens SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines in the Asia-Pacific region. With a diameter of 101 meters, the rotor of the new SWT-2.3-101 has a swept area of 8000 square meters. The new turbine is based on the design of the widely deployed 2.3 MW family.
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.
The project is the first wind power plant in New Zealand to be built in partnership between a community power trust and a state-owned power generator and retailer.
The consistently strong wind speeds in New Zealand make the country ideal for wind power plants, In October, Siemens commissioned its first wind power plant in New Zealand.
The 62 SWT-2.3-82VS wind turbines at the West Wind site, which is also owned by Meridian Energy, is now supplying up to 70 000 homes with clean energy.