Te Uku — New Zealand
Wind power plant in Waikato, New Zealand. Approximate location -37.8726, 174.9681.
WindWaikatoNew ZealandOnshore
Te Uku is a 64 MW wind power plant in Waikato, New Zealand. It is operated by Meridian Energy. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 54k homes (estimated). It ranks #34 of 50 New Zealand power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2010, it is around 16 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, wind supplies about 9.7% of New Zealand's electricity; the national grid averages 93 gCO₂/kWh (88.5% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1022453.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000906086; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 64 MW, Te Uku is around the median wind plant in New Zealand (60 MW). Technically it is described as Onshore. Wind turbines convert moving air into electricity; output is variable and site-dependent, and modern turbines deliver some of the lowest-cost new generation on many grids.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of New Zealand wind capacity
- 14.0% of 458 MW across 7 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 4 of 6 dated wind plants in New Zealand are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest wind plants in New Zealand
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Meridian Energy. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This wind plant converts the kinetic energy of wind into electricity through turbine rotors. It sits in a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Southern Hemisphere, latitude 37.9°S — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 26% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 40/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #3 largest wind power plant of 7 in New Zealand by capacity.
New Zealand has 7 wind power plants in this dataset, together about 458 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Te Rapa · Gas · 44 MW · Waikato
- Waikato power station · Gas · 360 MW · Waikato
- Huntly power station · Gas · 454 MW · Waikato
- Huntly (CC) · Gas · 403 MW · Waikato
- Huntly (steam) · Coal · 500 MW · Waikato
- Huntly (unit 6) · Gas · 60 MW · Waikato
Location
Coordinates -37.8726, 174.9681 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Te Uku?
Te Uku is a 64 MW wind power plant in Waikato, New Zealand, commissioned in 2010.
Who operates Te Uku?
Te Uku is operated by Meridian Energy.