Pioneer Generation chief executive Fraser Jonker said although the energy output from the nine turbines for last month was lower than expected, energy produced so far this month had already exceeded expectations.
"The dry, settled weather in December meant the amount of energy produced was much lower than we expected, but this month is looking good and exceeding expectations."
The nine 850kW wind-turbine generators, with a three-bladed rotor 52m in diameter, are expected to produce 2845MWh of electricity a year. They would start producing power when the wind speed reached 14.5kmh, gaining maximum power at wind speeds above 61kmh.
The main turbine assembly was completed in October, and three aircraft lights, flashing red at night, were fitted to three of the turbines.
Turbine commissioning was completed by the start of December, and four Spanish technicians from the firm Gamesa were able to return to Spain.
Mr Jonker said reinstatement of the site was still to be done, as roads and dirt tracks around the site were to be returned to farmland. He expected the reinstatement of the farmland to be completed by the end of next month.
Resource consent was granted in 2010 for the 7.65MW wind farm on the southwestern side of the Manuka Gorge. It aimed to produce enough electricity to meet the annual energy needs of about 3350 homes and feed into the grid through the OtagoNet network.
Pioneer Generation, based in Alexandra, is 100% owned by the Central Lakes Trust. It owns and operates 13 hydro-electric power stations and one wind farm in Central Otago and Southland.
An official opening of the Mt Stuart wind farm is due to be held in June, possibly in conjunction with Global Wind Day on June 15.
