West Wind Makara - Meridian Energy / OPUS / Tonkin & Taylor (2006) & WWTL - Meridian
Energy / BECA (2007)
For this project we had difficult terrain to contend with and very fractured rock due to the
close proximity to major fault lines. Compounding this was the very high wind factor and extreme
weather conditions in which we were operating.
Project scope
For the wind farm project we drilled more than 30 holes across the site on the ridgelines where the
turbines were to be sited. Further bores were drilled for the wharf structure on the beach at
Oteranga Bay where the submarine power cables come ashore and other investigations including
inclined cored holes for suitable quarry material were carried out across the site.
For the transmission line project we carried out a number of holes at possible tower locations to
assist with design of a new transmission line to carry the power from the wind farm to the national
grid.
Complicating factors and solutions
Limited access, steep terrain, wet slippery conditions and very high winds were all complicating
factors to overcome. The rock was very fractured due to the proximity of the main fault line and
required the skills we have developed in working with Wellingtons' difficult ground conditions to
successfully core the highly fractured weathered greywacke.
For the the transmission line project no new roading could be constructed across the steep terrain,
meaning careful planning and complicated logistics to get to the proposed tower locations. For
example some sites required scaffold to fly the gear onto due to the steepness of the terrain.
Helicopter access
One of our helicopter portable units was used to reach the bore locations high up on the hillside
that were only accessible by air. Due to the proximity of the national grid safety of both the
network and all personnel was paramount and required meticulous planning before getting off the
ground. This was made easier by our helicopter operator who routinely flies maintenance crews on
live line work in and around the lines.
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