WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION - CHATHAM ISLANDS
DURATION
Sep 2024 – Current
CLIENT
Christchurch City Council
CONSULTANT/DESIGNER
Christchurch City Council
VALUE
$2,400,000.00
DURATION
Jan 2025 – Apr 2025
CLIENT
Chatham Island Electrical Ltd.
CONSULTANT/DESIGNER
WSP
VALUE
$905,000.00
The Point Durham Wind Turbine Installation Project represents a significant engineering and logistical achievement on the remote Chatham Islands, located approximately 800km east of New Zealand's mainland.
Hunter Civil successfully navigated complex transportation challenges, shipping all equipment and materials via the weather-dependent maritime routes from Timaru and Napier. Challenges included mobilising our Komatsu BM600 crane to the island that had sufficient lifting capacity, that could also be disassembled into sections under 32tn, to enable the Chatham’s ship to lift the crane on and off the ship.
The scope included installation of 51 precast foundation units, the foundations were post-tensioned and grouted to complete the installation. Our team worked with Vestas, to safely lift the 21-tonne, 30-meter tower sections and complete complex the complex installation of the nacelle and turbine blades.
By engaging local contractors for excavation and backfill operations, the project not only minimized its environmental footprint but also created valuable employment opportunities within the island community.
Once completed, this renewable energy initiative will transform the Chatham Islands' power generation capabilities, replacing diesel generators with sustainable wind energy and establishing a more environmentally responsible and self-sufficient power solution for this isolated community.