New Zealand: Ngawha Geothermal Plant a Big Win for Northern Region

Geothermal plant game-changer for region (Northern Advocate)

One of Top Energy's two geothermal power plants at Ngawha.
Photo / Peter de Graaf

A $300-million geothermal power station expansion near Kaikohe could start producing electricity just as three fossil-fuel power plants are shut down further south.

Lines company Top Energy was this week given a green light to build two new geothermal power plants at Ngawha Springs, boosting its output from the current 25 MW to 75 MW - more than the Far North's peak demand of 70 MW. The project will make the Far North a power exporter and, thanks to surplus heat and steam, could attract industries such as milk and timber processing to an area starved of jobs.

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