Pioneer Energy forms Joint venture for 300 MW Onshore Wind Farm in New Zealand

Pioneer Energy and Manawa Energy investigated the development of a 300 MW wind generation project in southwest Otago, New Zealand.

The two companies have established a joint venture on a 50/50 basis, granting them the rights to develop the high-quality Kaihiku Wind Farm electricity generation project on privately owned rural land situated between Balclutha and Clinton. The US$900 million wind farm is anticipated to generate approximately 1,050 GWh of renewable electricity annually, sufficient to supply power to over 135,000 households. While design work is still underway to determine the final project specifications, the site has the capacity for approximately 70 wind turbines, with an estimated blade diameter of around 170 m and a maximum height of 215 m. The project would be connected to existing Transpower transmission lines passing through the site, and a new local substation, along with a control room, office, storage space, and workshop building, would be constructed on-site.

The project's completion was expected to take four years. Upon becoming operational, the wind farm would be integrated into the national grid, providing renewable power for a minimum of 30 years.