New Zealand: Work Begins on 28 MW Ngawha Geothermal Power Station Expansion

Full steam ahead for Ngawha power station expansion (NZ Herald)

The 28 MW power plant is due to be completed in June 2021.

(Courtesy NZ Herald)

Work has begun on an ambitious geothermal power project which could produce all the electricity the Far North needs.

Lines company Top Energy, which already operates two geothermal power plants totalling 25 Megawatts (MW) at Ngawha, east of Kaikohe, gained consent earlier this year for a two-stage expansion which could eventually boost capacity to just over 80 MW.

Earthworks preparing the geothermal well drilling site have now begun on farmland bought by Top Energy near Ngawha Prison. Drilling itself is due to start early next year.

Providing a viable geothermal resource is found, the next stage will be earthworks for the power station itself. Stage 1 of the project, building a 28 MW power plant, was due to be completed in June 2021.

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