Full-size wind turbine blades on show in central Wellington

Wellingtonians can get a good look at the blades and nacelle of a New Zealand made wind turbine on Tuesday 21 April in Odlins Plaza, on the Wellington waterfront near the Stock Exchange and Mac’s Brewery.

This is a rare opportunity get up close to wind energy technology as these components usually sit on top of tall towers on sites with restricted access.

Representatives of the turbine manufacturer, Windflow Technology, will be onsite throughout the day to answer your questions about the technology and wind energy.

The turbine components will be accompanied by an information display, located in the West Court of the Old Town Hall, about wind energy development in the Wellington region.

Wind energy receives strong public support and is recognised as one of the lower-cost options for new electricity generation. Wind currently supplies 2.5% of NZ’s electricity, but its potential is far greater.

The turbine on display is destined for NZ Windfarm’s Te Rere Hau Wind Farm, near Palmerston North. It is the same model of turbine that Windflow Technology is planning to use at its proposed Long Gully Wind Farm, south of Brooklyn.

When and where
Turbine display: 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, 21 April, Odlins Plaza, Wellington Waterfront (by the Stock Exchange and Mac’s Brewery)

Information display: 8 am to 4 pm, 21 April and 8 am to 2pm, 22 April, West Court,
Old Town Hall, Wakefield Street, Wellington (also accessible from Civic Square).
Notes

Contact
For further information please contact

Sarah Vaughan, Communications Advisor, NZWEA
Email: sarah@nzwea.org.nz
Phone: 04 499 5047
Mobile: 027 212 2296

Sheralee MacDonald, Marketing Manager, Windflow Technology
Email: Sheralee@windflow.co.nz
Mobile: 021 946 333

About the NZ Wind Energy Association
The New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) is an industry association that works towards the development of wind as a reliable, sustainable, clean and commercially viable energy source. We aim to fairly represent wind energy to the public, government and the energy sector. Our members include about 80 companies involved in New Zealand's wind energy sector, including electricity generators, wind farm developers, lines companies, turbine manufacturers, consulting firms, researchers and law firms.

The wind turbine display is part of the annual NZ Wind Energy Conference, which is organised by the New Zealand Wind Energy Association.

More information about the conference is available at http://www.windenergy.org.nz/events/wind-energy-conference-2009

About Windflow Technology
Windflow Technology is a Christchurch based wind turbine design and manufacturing company, publically listed on the NZAX. The company sources over 90% of the components for its innovative two-bladed Windflow 500 turbine from New Zealand suppliers. The 16 metre long wood-epoxy blades are made in Auckland, the nacelle is assembled in Christchurch and the 29 metre high towers are made in Petone.

The mid-sized Windflow 500 turbine is approximately the same size as the Brooklyn wind turbine and generates enough electricity to power 200 houses.

Windflow Technology is developing the proposed 12.5 MW Long Gully wind farm on behalf of Mighty River Power.

For information about the proposed Long Gully wind farm visit: http://www.longgully.co.nz

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