4 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Meridian Energy - Wellington: Harapaki Wind Farm Coping with construction challenges a constant The two main transformers have been installed and are ready for commissioning. T T from page 3 0SJHJOBM QIPUP $SPQQFE UP GJU Having already worked on the Te Uku Wind Farm for Meridian in a joint venture with Hick Brothers Civil Construction Ltd, Spartan Construction Ltd was well prepared for the Harapaki Wind Farm project. Hick Brothers Spartan Joint Venture is responsible for Construction of all roads, turbine foundations and crane hardstands for Harapaki. Spartan Construction general manager Joe Fluhler says that the project perfectly itted its company mission of achieving excellence in a niche contracting environment, speci ically complex projects. Spartan’s scope under the joint venture is to deliver all the foundations including piling, site concrete, assemble and install tower anchor bolts, reinforcing installation, concrete supply and installation. The project is still on-going and by the time it is inished Spartan will have poured 492 piles and constructed 41 turbine foundations. At peak Joe expects the Spartan team to number around 50 on site. “At Spartan we ensure strong interaction with the client and the wider team to enable better construction outcomes and optimise the client’s return. Our emphasis is on simple, clear quality systems that promote the swift resolution of key issues and development of clear objectives to the project team. Spartan engages frontline construction experience, focusing on communication, task clarity and project delivery.” The main challenge is the weather: Battling the elements “They don't put a wind farm in an easy place,” he jokes. “We have to battle with wind, snow and rain including Cyclone Gabrielle. Basically we’ve had to increase our resources – almost double – to stay on schedule due to weather events.” He credits its joint venture partner Hick Brothers Civil Construction and Spartan Construction’s subcontracting team as being key factors in the project’s success: “Our main subcontractors and suppliers include Contract Landscapes (piling), Steel & Tube (reinforcing supply and install) and Allied Concrete (concrete supply). We wouldn't have been able to do it without them.” He says the project demonstrates Spartan’s philosophy of continuous and relentless improvement, striving towards unrivalled performance in the construction industry. “Harapaki Wind Farm shows the resilience of the Spartan team, which can excel even when the terrain or elements are challenging. Every single person has been dedicated to getting the job done and there are a lot of hours and e ort that are going into delivering an exceptional outcome.” Joe says the wind farm projects also align with Spartan’s focus on delivering projects that add value to New Zealand. “It’s important for us to take part in projects where we can have a hand in working towards a greener world. It makes us proud to be helping out where we can.” • Wastewater Treatment Plants • Foundations & Civil Structures • Dredging & Desludging • Water Treatment Plants • Pump Stations & Pipe Lines • Bridge Construction Proudly supporting Meridian Energy & the Harapaki Windfarm Proudly supporting Meridian Energy & the Harapaki Windfarm www.spartanconstruction.co.nz 07 856 1870 admin@spartanconstruction.co.nz One of the ways project carbon emissions have been lowered has been by setting up a concrete plant on site rather than transporting concrete from Napier. Through this and through other improvements in the earthworks and civil construction workstreams, Meridian has managed to reduce the project emissions by 5000 tonnes of carbon (civil and site works only). The main services building is also nearing completion along with substation, which is expected to be commissioned in June. The two main transformers have been installed and are ready for commissioning. Members of the turbine installation team from Siemens Games Renewable Energy (SGRE) are preparing for installation of the first shipment of turbines, which arrived from overseas at Napier Port. SGRE is responsible for supplying and installing the 41 turbines across the site. Robert says that one of the objectives Meridian has for the project is to make sure as many local people and contractors as possible are employed to enhance regional benefit. So far over 50% of workers and contractors have hailed from the local region. Harapaki is Meridian’s eleventh wind farm development and combines the consents granted for two proposed wind farms in 2005. Meridian purchased the resource consent for Hawke’s Bay wind farm from Hawke’s Bay Wind Farm Ltd in 2010 and the consent for the neighbouring Titiokura site from Unison Networks. Robert says the overall vision is for Harapaki to be New Zealand’s most sustainable wind farm, delivering economic growth and advancing goals for climate action by delivering renewable energy to Aotearoa New Zealand.
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