27 Apr 2011

Faults found in Makara wind turbines

2:12 pm on 27 April 2011

Key components of one of the country's largest wind farms are having to be replaced just two years after it opened.

Meridian Energy says it has found that five gearboxes on its 62-turbine wind farm on Wellington's south coast need replacing.

Maintenance manager Russell Thomas says the fault is with one of 14 bearings inside the gearboxes.

The faults were identified during an end-of-warranty inspection of the farm.

Mr Thomas says the problem is not a surprise or a concern and is something that has been seen in wind farms in New Zealand and internationally.

The manufacturer of the turbines, Siemens, will pay all the replacement costs.

The end-of-warranty inspection is due to be completed by October.