Nordex Group receives 192 MW wind turbine order from Mercury, entering the New Zealand market for the first time
German wind turbine maker Nordex Group just landed its first-ever order from New Zealand. On October 22, 2026, the Hamburg-based manufacturer announced that Mercury — one of New Zealand’s largest electricity generation and retail companies — ordered 40 N133/4.8 turbines totaling 192 MW for the Puke Kapo Hau wind farm in the Otago region of South Island. The deal also includes a 30-year service agreement, making it one of the more comprehensive partnerships Nordex has signed as it steps into a new market.
Mercury orders 40 Nordex turbines for Otago Wind Farm
The Puke Kapo Hau wind farm will sit in the eastern foothills of the Lammermoor Range in Otago — a rugged, wind-exposed stretch of South Island terrain. Mercury ordered 40 N133/4.8 turbines, giving the project a combined installed capacity of 192 MW. Alongside the turbine supply contract, the two companies signed a 30-year comprehensive service agreement, meaning Nordex’s involvement doesn’t end at installation. Both announcements went public on October 22, 2026.
That service deal deserves a closer look. Long-term maintenance agreements are common in wind energy, but a 30-year commitment ties both companies together for the project’s full operational life. That’s a real statement of confidence from Mercury’s side — something well beyond a routine equipment purchase.
For the broader New Zealand market, Nordex’s arrival adds a new turbine supplier to an ecosystem that’s already seen significant investment momentum.
Why Mercury selected Nordex for its next wind project
Mercury CEO Stew Hamilton pointed to Nordex’s track record in Australia as a key reason the company felt comfortable bringing the German manufacturer into New Zealand. “Nordex has had a significant presence in Australia for many years,” Hamilton said, “and we’re happy to support a new wind technology supplier into the New Zealand market.”
The site itself made the decision easier. Puke Kapo Hau records average wind speeds above about 18 miles per hour — firmly in the range where wind energy generation becomes highly efficient, cutting project risk from the start.
Mercury’s own credentials add important context. The company has delivered five of the six wind farms built in New Zealand over the past five years. That execution record — on time, on budget, across multiple projects — means Mercury knows exactly what it needs from a turbine supplier. Hamilton described Puke Kapo Hau as “the next phase of our wind energy development,” framing it not as a standalone experiment but as part of a deliberate, longer-term build-out.
Installation timeline and Nordex’s local operations plan
The construction schedule is already mapped out. Installation of the first turbine, mounted on a 295-foot tubular steel tower, starts in early 2028, with commissioning of that first unit planned for mid-2028 — a relatively tight window between breaking ground and generating power.
Nordex isn’t planning to fly in a fully foreign workforce. The company intends to engage local contractors for crane services, turbine installation, and final-run activities. That approach draws on New Zealand-specific expertise and logistics knowledge while helping Nordex embed itself in the local market ahead of future projects. Building those relationships early is why Nordex plans to develop its in-country capabilities well before construction starts — so the operational infrastructure is already in place rather than assembled under pressure.
Nordex’s strategic rationale for entering New Zealand
Alberto Perez, Nordex’s Managing Director for Australia, framed the Mercury deal as more than a single contract win. “Entering the New Zealand market with Mercury as our first customer represents an important step for the Nordex Group,” he said, describing New Zealand as “a very attractive market” given its wind resources and renewable energy ambitions. That language suggests the company sees this as the beginning of a sustained presence, not a one-time opportunity.
Nordex’s product portfolio centers on onshore turbines in the 4–7 MW+ range, designed for markets where land availability is limited and grid infrastructure constrained. The N133/4.8 sits squarely there — a natural fit for a country where geography shapes energy planning at every level.
The company’s global footprint is substantial. Since 1985, Nordex has commissioned more than 67 GW of wind capacity across more than 40 markets. New Zealand is the latest addition to that list, and based on Perez’s comments, probably not the last project there.
Mercury’s renewable portfolio and what this deal means for New Zealand’s wind sector
Mercury generates electricity exclusively from renewable sources — hydro, geothermal, and wind — and retails electricity, gas, broadband, and mobile services across New Zealand. Its renewable-only generation portfolio places it at the center of New Zealand’s energy transition, and Puke Kapo Hau represents a continued push to expand wind capacity specifically.
For the broader New Zealand market, Nordex’s arrival adds a new turbine supplier to an ecosystem that’s already seen significant investment momentum. More supplier options can strengthen competition and resilience in future project pipelines — and that matters considerably when planning long-term energy infrastructure.
Nordex SE recorded consolidated sales of approximately EUR 7.6 billion (around $8.2 billion USD) in 2025 and employs more than 11,100 people globally, with manufacturing facilities across Germany, Spain, Brazil, India, and the United States. The 192 MW Mercury order adds New Zealand to a market map spanning more than four decades of wind energy development — and sets the stage for what Nordex clearly hopes will be a long-term commercial relationship with the country.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
