Latest news with #GuyWaipara
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Meridian opens $186m battery farm to boost Northland's energy resilience
However, it could also mean power gets reinstated more quickly after events such as the blackout caused when one of the pylons carrying the region's main electricity supply north of Auckland collapsed last June. Perched about a kilometre from Northland's largest port and opposite a Transpower substation, the storage system is Meridian's first project in Northland and phase one of its planned Ruakākā Energy Park. Already connected to the national grid for activation once final tests are complete, the facility was officially opened on Friday. Meridian's general manager of development Guy Waipara said the facility was capable of storing 200 megawatt hours of power and at full capacity, could release 100 megawatts of power for two hours to 60,000 households. It represented a growing trend towards distributed energy resources that could respond quickly to grid needs while supporting the shift to renewable energy, Waipara said. 'When demand is low and power is cheap or there's lots of wind or solar power being generated, we can charge the system. 'When demand peaks – like at 7pm when everyone comes home and turns on their ovens – we can discharge stored power." Waipara said that balancing capability reduced reliance on fossil fuel plants that would otherwise need to be activated during peak demand periods. The storage system could be charged when power prices were cheaper or power was in lesser demand, for instance overnight, or when there was lots of wind or solar power being generated. It could potentially undergo daily charging and discharging cycles multiple times daily, depending on demand patterns and renewable energy production. Stored power could be released at peak times but also if there was a problem with the grid. It would be a crucial support for the second stage of Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park – a $227 million solar farm planned for the 172ha adjoining the 2ha corner on which the battery storage facility sits. Work on the farm was expected to start this August with power production possible in 2027. Waipara said specific details about the system's role during major infrastructure failures were not yet known. However, the increased localised generation and storage capacity in Northland would inherently improve the region's resilience in an electricity crisis. It couldn't prevent a blackout of the type caused when a pylon collapsed but could accelerate recovery by providing power for extended periods. Together the two assets – the storage facility and the solar farm – would help restore power where it was crucially needed markedly faster, Waipara said. Having power at their door, would enable distribution companies to better manage supply to critical infrastructure like CBDs, hospitals, and schools. Waipara could not say whether the projects would bring down the region's notoriously high power prices. However, he said it would certainly put downward pressure on them. Asked about the consent process for the planned 250,000-panelled solar farm, Waipara said it had been lengthy and expensive. In January this year, the Environment Court signed off a mediated agreement between Meridian, Forest and Bird, and Fish and Game. The environmental organisations had concerns, particularly about the protection of local wetlands. The company agreed to fence off 9ha of wetland areas on the wind farm site and to establish a new 5ha wetland near the Ruakākā shops. Waipara said he was personally excited about those projects, which would include the installation of about 200,000 new plants. He said Meridian had been working closely with local hapū since 2021 and would continue to do so. He said a key lesson for the company was the importance of reaching agreements with stakeholders before going to adjudication. Waipara emphasised the need to 'come up with an agreement that makes sense for all parties involved' rather than relying on the formal RMA (Resource Management Act) process. The community was expected to benefit from some of the 100 jobs likely to be created by the energy park. Meridian had also prioritised using local contractors where possible, Waipara said. He said the company would undoubtedly make use of the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 in future but that would not lessen its commitment to high environmental and cultural standards. Fast-tracking shouldn't mean cutting corners on ecological work, stakeholder engagement, or iwi consultation, Waipara said.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Completion Of Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System
Press Release – Meridian The Ruakk BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of New Zealand's first large-scale grid battery storage system is now complete, with Meridian Energy's Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being officially opened in a ceremony later today. The Ruakākā BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of the BESS, located south of Whangārei, began in the first quarter of 2023 and has been completed inside the project's original $186 million capital envelope. Meridian's General Manager Development, Guy Waipara, says the BESS adds a North Island storage asset into New Zealand's electricity system, and one that will perform a number of key roles. 'This BESS is a new and exciting addition to our asset portfolio. It gives us the ability to load shift between price periods, smooth out peak periods, provide greater resilience to Northland and enable Meridian to participate in the North Island electricity reserves market.' 'Although construction and commissioning are now complete, some steps remain before the BESS is fully operational, including approval of final commissioning test results.' Meridian's focus has now turned to the neighbouring $227 million, 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm, with construction set to begin in August 2025. Together with the BESS, this forms Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park. 'These will be key assets for Northland, and for New Zealand. There is a tremendous amount going on across the industry to ensure Kiwi homes and businesses continue to have all the electricity they need at prices that continue to be internationally competitive. Meridian is stepping up to the challenge with the Ruakākā Energy Park, part of $3 billion we will invest over the next five years,' says Guy Waipara. The company has four other projects already consented, including another BESS in Manawatū, and several others progressing through consenting processes. In addition to Manawatū, Meridian intends to incorporate batteries into a number of new solar farm projects. Meridian's battery partner for Ruakākā is Saft, and Transpower has also played a key role in planning, construction and commissioning. 'This has been a real team effort and Meridian thanks both for their contributions to the project. Being the first of its kind in New Zealand, there has been a lot to learn,' says Guy Waipara.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Completion Of Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System
Construction of New Zealand's first large-scale grid battery storage system is now complete, with Meridian Energy's Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being officially opened in a ceremony later today. The Ruakākā BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of the BESS, located south of Whangārei, began in the first quarter of 2023 and has been completed inside the project's original $186 million capital envelope. Meridian's General Manager Development, Guy Waipara, says the BESS adds a North Island storage asset into New Zealand's electricity system, and one that will perform a number of key roles. 'This BESS is a new and exciting addition to our asset portfolio. It gives us the ability to load shift between price periods, smooth out peak periods, provide greater resilience to Northland and enable Meridian to participate in the North Island electricity reserves market.' 'Although construction and commissioning are now complete, some steps remain before the BESS is fully operational, including approval of final commissioning test results.' Meridian's focus has now turned to the neighbouring $227 million, 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm, with construction set to begin in August 2025. Together with the BESS, this forms Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park. 'These will be key assets for Northland, and for New Zealand. There is a tremendous amount going on across the industry to ensure Kiwi homes and businesses continue to have all the electricity they need at prices that continue to be internationally competitive. Meridian is stepping up to the challenge with the Ruakākā Energy Park, part of $3 billion we will invest over the next five years,' says Guy Waipara. The company has four other projects already consented, including another BESS in Manawatū, and several others progressing through consenting processes. In addition to Manawatū, Meridian intends to incorporate batteries into a number of new solar farm projects. Meridian's battery partner for Ruakākā is Saft, and Transpower has also played a key role in planning, construction and commissioning. 'This has been a real team effort and Meridian thanks both for their contributions to the project. Being the first of its kind in New Zealand, there has been a lot to learn,' says Guy Waipara.
