State-owned power companies Meridian Energy and Transpower have reached agreement for the connection of Meridian’s new windfarm at Te Apiti in the Manawatu, to the national grid.

The two companies’ chief executives signed the agreement at a small ceremony in Wellington today.

It is the first ever agreement in New Zealand to connect a wind farm to the national grid. Other existing windfarms are connected to their local line company networks.

It is also the first connection agreement signed between Meridian Energy and Transpower, since the two companies were formed out of the former ECNZ.

Meridian chief executive Keith Turner says the agreement demonstrates the two companies’ willingness to work together bring new electricity generation capacity on stream.

“This agreement represents a considerable step forward in co-operation between our two companies as we each work in our own way to meet New Zealand’s future electricity needs.”

Transpower chief executive Ralph Craven says a strong national grid facilitates the connection of new generation like Te Apiti.

“A key driver for our continued investment in the national grid is to support the connection of a diverse range of energy sources and to allow that energy to get to where it is needed.”

When completed late this year, Te Apiti will be the country’s biggest windfarm.

First power is expected to be generated from the windfarm in about a month, with the full 90 megawatt (MW) capacity expected to be available by the end of the year.