Te Apiti Wind Farm. North Island. New Zealand.
S 40° 18.050 E 175° 49.290
60G E 399845 N 5538186
The Te Apiti wind farm is located on the north side of the Manawatu Gorge, in the North Island, 10km from the city of Palmerston North.
Waymark Code: WM4922
Location: New Zealand
Date Posted: 07/23/2008
Views: 49
The first site development work started on 10 November 2003. First electricity was generated at an opening ceremony on the 5 August 2004.
Construction of all fifty five 1.65 MW turbines was completed on 30 October 2004 and the site was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, on the 9 December.
Each of the 55 turbines produces 1.65 MW and can generate enough power for up to 900 average homes. Each turbine has a tower measuring 70 metres high, fitted with 3 blades each 35 metres in diameter. The blade rotations per minute can vary according to the wind speed but have a maximum speed of 17 rpm.
The total installed capacity of 90 MW now generates enough clean, sustainable electricity to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 45,000 average homes.
The visitor car parking area located underneath a turbine at Te Apiti attracts an average of 400 cars a week. This public viewing area at the base of Turbine G1 is well signposted and can be accessed from Saddle Road, the Ashhurst-Woodville road.
Additional details are available from Meridian's website.