Mercury NZ Limited has confirmed it will proceed with the expansion of the Kaiwera Downs wind farm near Gore, following a long-term agreement signed with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters last week. Once completed, the 155 MW project (525 GWh pa) will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of ~73,000 homes per year. It will bring the total capacity of the Kaiwera Downs wind farm to 198 MW, the second larger in New ealand.

Construction is expected to start in June 2024 and reach full generation by the end of calendar year 2026. Construction contracts are now executed but remain conditional on Mercury issuing Notice to Proceed (NTP). The only condition to issuing NTP is the Electricity Authority approving the remaining NZAS supply contracts.