1.
10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
Global Wind Day
15 June 2015

2.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Climate change is happening. Wind energy is part of
the solution.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
It’s a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to generation from fossil fuels.

3.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Unlike many countries in the world, in New Zealand
wind energy isn’t subsidised.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
It doesn’t need to be, as we’re blessed with the Roaring 40s (strong westerly winds in the southern
hemisphere) and have world-class expertise in building economic wind farms.

4.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Wind energy contributes to electricity generation,
directly and indirectly, when national demand is at its
peak.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
It’s likely that a wind farm somewhere in New Zealand is generating in every peak period.
If not, water stored in the country’s hydro lakes, while the wind is blowing,
can be used to fuel generation at peak times.

5.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
In New Zealand, wind energy is about three times
cheaper than solar energy.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
Every country’s different, and the cost of technology is forever changing.
Solar definitely has its place for homes and businesses looking to be more sustainable.

6.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Wellington is one of the windiest cities in the world,
some might argue the windiest.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
The region is home to two of Meridian’s wind farms, which generate enough electricity
to power all the homes of Wellington City and half of Lower Hutt.

7.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Wind energy contributes approximately 6% of the
country’s electricity demand.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
According to the NZ Wind Energy Association, this is likely to reach 20% by 2030. The growth of wind
energy is key to reaching the Government’s target of 90% renewable generation by 2025.

8.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Meridian Energy is the largest generator of wind energy
in New Zealand.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
Meridian’s five NZ wind farms have a total installed capacity of 416MW – that’s about 60% of the
country’s total.

9.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
Wind as a source for electricity generation is more
predictable than you might think.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
Month to month, year to year, the contribution of wind energy is pretty consistent and reliable
– even more so than hydro.

10.
MERIDIAN ENERGY LIMITED
The first wind turbine to be erected in New Zealand was
the Brooklyn turbine in 1992.
15 June 2015 * 10 Cool Things About Wind Energy
This well-loved Wellington landmark has set international production records for a turbine of its size.

11.
Today, 15 June, is Global Wind Day
Happy Global Wind Day from Meridian Energy − New
Zealand’s largest generator of renewable energy!
10 Cool Things About Wind Energy * 15 June 2015