The Ngāwhā Power Station Expansion
Constructing the new power stations. Read more >>
How geothermal power generation works. Read more >>
Protecting the local environment. Read more >>
Keeping people informed and contacting us. Read more >>
The expansion of the Ngāwhā Geothermal Power Station creates a more affordable, reliable and secure electricity supply for the Far North. Once complete, generation capacity will more than double to 57 Megawatts.
Top Energy recently commissioned the new OEC4 power station after an intensive three-year construction, well drilling and plant assembly programme. Despite delays due to COVID-19 the power station was completed six months earlier than planned.
Good news for Northlanders
Ultimately, expansion of the Ngāwhā Geothermal Power Station provides a renewable and lower cost source of electricity generation with clear benefits for local consumers:
- Security of supply and reliability will be improved
- The region will become less reliant on generation from the south and associated transmission through Auckland
Safe, reliable and renewable
Geothermal energy is a safe and reliable energy source. It’s not dependent on rainfall like hydro-power or other fluctuations in supply, and is considered renewable and sustainable energy source.
The generation model sees the geothermal fluids extracted injected back into the underground reservoir, minimising environmental impacts and maintaining the reservoir fluid mass.
Good for the whole country
The expansion of the power station contributes towards the Government’s target of greater than 90% renewable electricity generation by the early 2030’s and supports its climate change objectives. It also improves national electricity security of supply, by contributing 0.6% of total national electricity production from a steady and renewable source.
Latest news
May 2020 newsletter
Construction during COVID-19 When the nation went to Alert Level 4 in late March work on all aspects of the Ngawha expansion project came to a stop. Prior to lockdown, we were making good progress on multiple work fronts with up to [...]
December 2019 newsletter
Civil works on site nears completion Despite the weather’s best efforts during the winter months, the project team has been able to progress the remaining civil works and they are now coming to the end. Installation of storm water drainage lines between [...]
Control Room Blessing
The blessing and opening of our new control room is a key milestone in the Ngāwhā expansion programme. We are grateful for the support and guidance of Ngāti Rangi as the programme progresses towards an early completion in 2020 and a step towards the [...]