The device helping decide future of region’s offshore wind projects
MATTHEW RILKOFF
A stubby blue and yellow floating platform that shoot lasers hundreds of metres into the air will soon begin determining the fate of a multibillion-dollar addition to the Taranaki economy.
The floating light detecting and ranging device (FLiDAR), that will measure wind speed and other environmental conditions off the coast from Patea, was blessed at Port Taranaki on Wednesday last week.
It was hoped the 14-tonne device would be dropped in place 37km out to sea some time this week to begin monitoring conditions to determine whether the South Taranaki Bight is suitable for dozens of massive wind turbines.
The platform, which will be anchored at the spot for one year, is the first piece of physical offshore wind technology deployed by the Taranaki Offshore Partnership, a joint venture between Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and NZ Super Befitting the blessing of such a device, there was a blustery wind at the port, where the FLiDAR measured a gust of 200kmh the day before the event.
‘‘We are really sure it will confirm what everyone is telling us, that it’s pretty good out there,’’ Taranaki Offshore Partnership’s Giacomo Caleffi said.
The device will be able to measure wind speeds up to 300m above sea level using an array of five lasers.
The wind speed at 300m matters as that is roughly the height of the tip of the turbine blades proposed to be used in the $5 billion project.
With up to 70 turbines proposed, it could eventually be capable of powering more than a third of New Zealand homes.
In a press release following the event, Caleffi said that as well as delivering renewable energy at scale, the development of an offshore wind industry in
Taranaki would create new opportunities for skilled workers smoothing the region’s transition away from emissionsintensive industries.
Earlier this year, the project’s backers said it had the potential to see a major redevelopment at Pātea to become the main service hub and port.
There is already a study under way to determine Port Taranaki’s suitability to act as a hub for offhsore wind projects.
‘‘There’s still a long way to go in our feasibility investigations, including a number of environmental impact studies and extensive iwi and community engagement, but deploying the FLiDAR reflects the momentum building around this project and the creation of an offshore wind industry in New Zealand,’’ Caleffi said.
Information collected by the FliDAR device will be stored on board, with some data sent via satellite to France for analysis.
The device, which looks like a stubby tug boat with a cut down container welded to the top, generates its own power through solar panels and an onboard turbine.
The Taranaki Offshore Partnership is not the only group proposing to build a windfarm in the area.
BlueFloat Energy and Elemental Group have proposed a $4b windfarm 22km off the coast of South Taranaki.
The turbines, fixed to the sea floor, will generate 900 megawatts of electricity – enough to power nearly 440,000 homes.
‘‘We are really sure it will confirm what everyone is telling us, that it’s pretty good out there.’’ Taranaki Offshore Partnership