Contract Energy files applications to build Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station

The power station will provide renewable virtually emissions free electricity to power 200,000 average size homes. The station which is slated for completion by 2011 will replace the Wairakei geothermal power station, which was also a geothermal power one.

The Chief Executive of Contact Energy , David Baldwin was quoted as saying;“Prior to and since the public announcement of this project in February a great deal of work has gone into developing this proposal. The Te Mihi project is particularly exciting as it can contribute not only to a secure, reliable supply of electricity for all New Zealanders, but can also help cut carbon emissions from the electricity generation sector,”

“The Te Mihi plant will be a modern geothermal power station that will more efficiently convert the Earth’s heat into renewable electricity. It will also significantly reduce the discharge of heat and geothermal trace elements into the Waikato River.

“The Te Mihi power station will be capable of generating 40 per cent more electricity than the existing Wairakei station. It will not however require any more geothermal fluid than that which is already permitted by Contact’s recently granted Wairakei resource consents.

“Over the course of the construction period the project is expected to inject up to $90 million into the Taupo economy.”

“Geothermal is New Zealand’s most reliable form of renewable electricity. It doesn’t depend on the weather and, as such, can help displace thermal generation.

“The Te Mihi development is an important part of delivering an increasingly renewable energy future for New Zealand.”

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