18 December 2024, Mercury has confirmed it will construct a $287 million wind farm in Northland, bringing its total commitment to new renewables to more than $1 billion over two years. Mercury has executed contracts for the procurement and construction of the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm near Dargavil e. Capital expenditure of $287 million (excluding capitalized interest) lifts Mercury's total commitment to new renewable generation to more than $1 billion in fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025. Once completed, the 12-turbine, 77MW project (221GWh pa) wind farm will generate enough renewable electricity to power about 27,000 homes.
Construction is expected to start in January 2025, with first generation expected in mid-2026 and full generation by the end of 2026. The wind farm will feature 12 Vestas V162-6.4 MWTM wind turbines, the first of this model built in New Zealand. Kaiwaikawe will be the first wind farm constructed in Northland.
Kaiwaikawe is a 12-turbine wind farm and on its own will generate 77MW, providing 221GWh pa, enough to power about 27,000 homes, or almost every occupied dwel ing in Whangarei district. It has also added two new projects to the pipeline including a grid-scale battery near its Whakamaru hydro station north of Taup and the Waikokowai Wind Farm west of Huntly. Kaiwaikawe will feature the largest and tallest turbines in New Zealand, with the tower height of the turbines being 125m, the rotor diameter being 162m the turbine tip height being 206m.
This will include an annual community fund that will be established to support groups and communities around the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm. The wind farm development is expected to involve up to 100 jobs during construction, providing employment opportunities for the Northland region.