Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm Project, Southland

Higgins is bringing its extensive experience in wind farm development to Mercury Energy’s  Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm in the Southland region.

Mercury Energy awarded Higgins the ECI civil works contract for the first stage of the $115 million windfarm in September.

Being built 15km southeast of Gore, Kaiwera Downs will consist of 10 wind turbines that will generate a combined average of 148 GWh in renewable power each year  - enough to power more than 20,000 homes or 66,000 electric vehicles – helping to increase the proportion of electricity generated in New Zealand from renewable sources.

Higgins Project Manager Stephen Hough says Higgins is delighted to be working with Mercury on its Kaiwera Downs project and supporting its commitment to building new renewable generation.

Kaiwera Downs will be the sixth wind farm project undertaken by Higgins, which has successfully delivered infrastructure for five of New Zealand’s largest wind farm projects including Mercury’s Waipipi, Meridian’s Te Apiti, West Wind and Mill Creek, and Trustpower’s Tararua T3. These projects, combined, have seen Higgins involved in the construction of 50% of New Zealand’s total 1045MW of wind energy production.  

“We’ve demonstrated we are the market leaders in meeting the unique environmental challenges in wind farm construction with the specialist know-how to adapt to working in remote areas,” Hough says.

The broad scope of work includes delivery of core services to lay foundations for 10 wind turbines as well as road access to and around the site.

As lead contractor, Higgins will be supported by our Fletcher family of brands including Brian Perry Civil for site work and ground improvements and Firth Industries providing concrete.

Civil works are expected to be completed in May, with the wind farm operational by the end of 2023.