The 28-turbine farm is situated in the Wharauroa Plateau, covering approximately 55.8 square kilometres of private land, which is a remote, working sheep and cattle farm. The steep and challenging terrain in some parts of the site reaches heights of over 400 metres above sea level. As an integral part of the project, a 26 kilometre access road and switching-station was constructed along with an onsite concrete batching plant.
The project construction team consisting of Bloxam Burnett & Olliver (BBO), Hick Bros Civil and Spartan Construction Joint Venture (HSJV), Coffey Geotechnics and Coffey Information, with support from a number of sub-consultants and sub-contractors took less than 17 months to construct the wind farm. BBO were principal engineers for the project with the HSJV responsible for earthworks and turbine foundation as well as the crane platform construction team.
Coffey Geotechnics provided geotechnical services, including earthworks construction monitoring, certification management, and design reviews. Sister company Coffey Information provided the earthworks control and laboratory testing for the HSJV.
BBO’s Director Tony Keyte said the ability of all project team members including client, consultant and contractors to work together ensured a successful project. A focus on the project outcomes enabled the project to be delivered under budget and ahead of programme.
Coffey Geotechnics’ Service Line Manager Neil Watkins said the project team was proud of overcoming multiple challenges to deliver an environmentally-friendly resource.
“We commenced work in 2009, investigating design enhancements to manage costs, maintain acceptable levels of risk and optimise the overall earthworks design”.
“The project team worked in close proximity to ecologically sensitive wetlands and overcame other challenges including soft alluvial sediments, sensitive volcanic ashes and deeply weathered basalt lava flows”.
“We are proud to be involved in delivering this sustainable resource which benefits the local community in many ways,” he said.
More than 145,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are projected to be saved annually in comparison with traditional energy sources. Each turbine is approximately 80 metres tall with 49 metre long blades supported by a gravity pad foundation with the entire turbine structure weighing 311 tonnes.
For more information on the wind farm visit:
www.meridianenergy.co.nz/our-projects/north-island/project-te-uku-wind-farm.
Media Contact
Angela James, Corporate Communications Manager, Coffey International Limited
P: (+61) (2) 8404 4415; M: (+61) 42 8 905 573; E: angela_james@coffey.com
About Te-Uku Wind Farm Project Construction Team
- Bloxam Burnett & Olliver – principal project engineers. Responsible for civil engineering design and construction delivery.
- Hick Spartan Joint Venture – principal contractors for roading, earthworks and turbine foundation construction.
- Coffey Geotechnics – geotechnical consultant, earthworks and turbine foundation inspections and certification.
- Coffey Information – factual field and laboratory testing
- Siemens NZ, Transfield Services and NZ Cranes – wind turbine construction
