Construction Begins on Mt. Mercer Windfarm in Australia

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--Meridian Energy Limited (Wellington, New Zealand) is beginning construction on the 131-megawatt (MW) Mt. Mercer Windfarm project in Australia. The windfarm is located 30 kilometres south of Ballarat, in western Victoria. Meridian, with civil contractor Downer EDI Engineering Pty Limited (Sydney, Australia), has been constructing the internal access tracks since January 2013.

REpower Australia Pty Limited (Melbourne, Australia), a subsidiary of REpower Systems SE (Hamburg, Germany), will deliver the turbines to site by the third quarter of 2013, followed by the turbines' installation by late 2013. The windfarm will feature 64 REpower MM92 wind turbines, each producing 2 MW of electricity.

Industrial Info is tracking several windfarm projects under development by Meridian Energy in Australia and New Zealand.

Meridian is also developing the 75.9-MW Hurunui windfarm, which is awaiting environmental approvals. The windfarm will be located in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Subject to the approvals, Meridian Energy will seek contractors and equipment suppliers for the project, and it plans to commence construction in the first quarter of 2014.

The 59.8-MW Mill Creek windfarm proposed by the company also is under construction in Wellington, New Zealand. It features 26 Siemens wind turbines that will begin generating power by the end of 2013.

Another windfarm developed by the company in the same region is the 60-MW Mt. Munro project, which is in its early planning and scoping stage and will feature 20 turbines. Construction on the project is expected to begin by the end of 2015.

Meridian is conducting capital analysis for the 120-MW Project Central Windfarm, which will be located in Waiouru, New Zealand. Siemens also will supply turbines for this project. Meridian will seek major contractors for the project in early 2014, and it plans to commence construction by June 2014.

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