Massive Transformer Delivered for Huntly Battery Project
A 172-tonne transformer has been successfully delivered to Huntly Power Station as part of a major grid-scale battery project led by Genesis Energy.
The transformer, manufactured in Indonesia, was shipped to the Port of Auckland before being moved to Huntly under tightly controlled conditions. The delivery required a 70-metre-long, 17-axle trailer supported by three trucks and multiple pilot vehicles. The convoy traveled overnight to minimise disruption, navigating the Bombay Hills and crossing the Tainui Bridge.
Once onsite, the transformer was lifted into position by crane. It will step up voltage from 33 kV to 220 kV, enabling connection to the national grid.
The $135 million battery installation will initially provide 100 MW of power and store up to 200 MWh of electricity—enough to supply approximately 60,000 households for two hours during peak demand.
According to Tracey Hickman, Chief Operating Officer of Genesis Energy, the delivery marks a key milestone in the project’s first phase. The broader development aligns with the company’s strategy to expand battery capacity at Huntly to 400 MW by 2035.
The project supports New Zealand’s renewable energy transition, helping to maintain electricity reliability as hydro, solar, and wind power fluctuate.
Source: genesisenergy.co.nz
