NZWEA Welcomes Commissioning Milestone of Chatham Islands Wind Project Delivering Reliable, Affordable Renewable Energy.
The New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) welcomes the successful commissioning of the Point Durham Wind Farm on the Chatham Islands — a landmark project demonstrating the critical role wind energy can play in strengthening energy security, reducing costs, and enabling resilient communities.
For decades, the Chatham Islands relied almost entirely on diesel fuel generation, resulting in electricity costs more than four times higher than mainland New Zealand and exposing the community to ongoing fuel supply risks. Following a detailed assessment of renewable energy options, wind energy was identified as the most reliable and cost-effective solution for the island’s unique environment. Delivered by Chatham Islands Electricity Limited (CIEL), with support from a $10 million grant through the New Zealand Government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund, the project progressed from design through to commissioning over a 22-month period.
The completed development includes:
Three refurbished Vestas V27 225kW wind turbines (225 kW each) at Point Durham;
A Grid Balancing Plant at the Sandstone power station, including a 576 kW battery system enabling diesel generators to fully shut down during periods of high wind generation; and
An advanced controls system to manage variability and ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.
NZWEA Chief Executive, Kevin Hart, said the project highlights the tangible benefits of wind energy in delivering practical, near-term solutions to New Zealand’s energy challenges.
“This project is a powerful example of how wind energy can deliver real outcomes — improving energy security, reducing costs for communities, and lowering emissions. For isolated systems like the Chatham Islands, reliability and resilience are critical, and wind energy is proving to be a highly effective solution.”
Since becoming operational, the wind farm has already demonstrated strong performance:
Multiple days operating on 100% wind generation, with diesel generators fully shut down
A seven-day period achieving an average of 90% renewable energy
A 70% reduction in diesel use, saving over $1.2M in fuels costs every year..
NZWEA notes the broader significance of the project for Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly as the country works to accelerate renewable energy deployment to meet growing electricity demand.
“The Point Durham Wind Farm reinforces the importance of unlocking New Zealand’s abundant wind resource,” said Kevin Hart. “As we look to the future, projects like this show what is possible — delivering cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy systems for communities across the country.”
