West Wind — New Zealand
Wind power plant in Wellington, New Zealand. Approximate location -41.2335, 174.6971.
WindWellingtonNew ZealandOnshore
West Wind is a 142.6 MW wind power station in Wellington, New Zealand. It is operated by Meridian Energy. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 121k homes (estimated). It ranks #15 of 50 New Zealand power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2009, it is around 17 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 WRI1022454.
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 · L100000906088; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 142.6 MW, West Wind is well above 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
- 31.1% of 458 MW across 7 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 3 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 41.2°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 15% 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: 44/100 — 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 an aggressive, high-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C5 — Very high), with marine salt corrosion 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 #1 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
- Mill Creek · Wind · 60 MW · Wellington
- Hai Nui · Wind · 7 MW · Wellington
- Te Apiti · Wind · 90.8 MW · Manawatu-Wanganui
- Patea · Hydro · 32 MW · Taranaki
- Whareroa power station · Gas · 70 MW · Taranaki
Location
Coordinates -41.2335, 174.6971 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is West Wind?
West Wind is a 142.6 MW wind power plant in Wellington, New Zealand, commissioned in 2009.
Who operates West Wind?
West Wind is operated by Meridian Energy.