NZ building geothermal power

Mighty River Power (MRP) has moved another step closer to the construction of a NZ$450 million (AU$387.58 million) geothermal power station near Taupo, on New Zealand’s North Island.

Chairwoman Carole Durbin on Thursday announced the board’s commitment to support the proposed station at Rotokawa, with the final decision subject to completion of procurement contracts this month.

It will be the second power station at Rotokawa and, providing 132 MW capacity, it will be the second-largest geothermal station in New Zealand.

The proposed development is part of a significant geothermal expansion program, which includes three other geothermal sites at Mokai, Kawerau and Nga Tamariki.

The second Rotokawa power station, owned jointly with the Tauhara North No 2 Trust and to be called Nga Awa Purua, will be built close to the existing one and will connect into existing 220 kV transmission lines directly over the field.

The station is expected to generate an average of 1100 GWh annually and provide reliable base-load energy that is not sensitive to climatic variations.

It will take 2½ years to construct and commission. A workforce of up to 250 will be on site during its construction and 12 permanent staff will run it once it becomes operational.

MRP’s 90 MW NZ$300 million (AU$258.39 million) geothermal power station at Kawerau will also be commissioned this year, meeting approximately one-third of residential and industrial demand in the Bay of Plenty region.