New Zealand Opens Geothermal Power Station

New Zealand’s North Island is now home to one of the world’s largest geothermal power stations.

Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station has been built close to the town of Taupo – a  location known for geothermal and volcanic activity, and the site of multiple hot springs.

Constructed through a collaboration involving Tauhara North No.2 Trust and Mighty River Power, Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station incorporates the world’s largest geothermal turbine.

Geothermal Turbine: New Zealand

This geothermal turbine has an output of 140 megawatts, and it is set to electrify approximately 140,000 local houses when put into action in coming days.

This capacity represents around three per cent of New Zealand’s overall power needs and takes geothermal’s overall share of New Zealand’s total energy production up to 14 per cent: over seven per cent more than the position it held five years ago.

Geothermal Power Plant

Construction of this new geothermal energy power plant commenced in May 2008. At the start of 2010, the site fed electricity into New Zealand’s national grid for the first time.

“New Zealand has geothermal resources that are the envy of the world, and as a country we are now recognised as leading the way in developing this renewable resource to produce electricity for our homes, businesses and industry,” Doug Hefferman – Chief Executive of Mighty River Power – was quoted as having said at Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station’s inauguration, in an online company press release.

He added: “Nga Awa Purua will provide an additional 140MW to New Zealand’s electricity supply – that’s enough to power 140,000 homes.“

“Nga Awa Purua will give us a long-term and secure source of revenue, bringing real benefits to our people”, Tauhara North No.2 Trust’s Chief Executive, Aroha Campbell, added in the same release.