First Power From Windfarm Expansion

Media Statement
Friday 19 December

First Power From Windfarm Expansion

The first power from TrustPower's Tararua Winfarm expansion project will start flowing down lines from today.

Palmerston North Mayor Mark Bell-Booth, TrustPower and media representatives will gather at 1.00 pm, to witness the "connection" of the first of the 55 new turbines being installed during the windfarm expansion. The project is scheduled for completion by May next year - in time for winter.

Also present at the launch will be New Zealand's pre-eminent jazz trombonist and band leader, Roger Fox. At the 2004 Continuous Jazz Festival in Palmerston North, Roger will be relying upon his "wind power" in an attempt to set the world record for the longest continuous note played on a wind instrument. He will be using his visit to the TrustPower windfarm as preparation for that attempt.

Steady progress has been made installing new towers and turbine units, and despite some challenges posed by windier than expected conditions, the project is proceeding on time and on budget, according to TrustPower's Generation Division Manager, Mike Kedian.

"Strong winds such as we've had recently aren't exactly ideal for lifting heavy equipment using tall cranes, but the contractors involved have successfully worked around that, allowing us to keep the project on track," Mr Kedian says.

The expansion will increase the number of turbines on the Tararua site from 48 to 103, giving the windfarm the capacity to supply more than 30,000 homes.

The $60 million expansion of TrustPower's Tararua windfarm was made possible by the Government's early granting of Carbon Credits, recognising that the expansion will help New Zealand avoid burning fossil fuels to meet its energy supply needs, and save up to 75,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

First Power From Windfarm Expansion - Newsflash

In addition to the information previously supplied, as below, New Zealand's pre-eminent jazz trombonist and band lead, Roger Fox, will also attend the "Power-On" event at the Tararua Windfarm. At the 2004 Continuous Jazz Festival in Palmerston North, Roger will be using his "wind power" in an attempt to set the world record for the longest continuous note played on a wind instrument. He will be using his visit to the TrustPower windfarm as preparation for that attempt.

Previous release: .

The first power from TrustPower's Tararua Winfarm expansion project will start flowing down lines from today (Friday Dec 19).

Palmerston North Mayor Mark Bell-Booth, TrustPower and media representatives will gather at 1.00 pm (Fri Dec 19), to witness the "connection" of the first of the 55 new turbines being installed during the windfarm expansion. The project is scheduled for completion by May next year - in time for winter.

Steady progress has been made installing new towers and turbine units, and despite some challenges posed by windier than expected conditions, the project is proceeding on time and on budget, according to TrustPower's Generation Division Manager, Mike Kedian.

"Strong winds such as we've had recently aren't exactly ideal for lifting heavy equipment using tall cranes, but the contractors involved have successfully worked around that, allowing us to keep the project on track," Mr Kedian says.

The expansion will increase the number of turbines on the Tararua site from 48 to 103, giving the windfarm the capacity to supply more than 30,000 homes.

The $60 million expansion of TrustPower's Tararua windfarm was made possible by the Government's early granting of Carbon Credits, recognising that the expansion will help New Zealand avoid burning fossil fuels to meet its energy supply needs, and save up to 75,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

ENDS

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