May 21 2010
A joint venture partnership between the Tauhara North No. 2 Trust and Mighty River has led to the development of the 140-MW Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station, which has the capacity to produce 3% of the overall electricity requirements of New Zealand.
Two days before the opening of the Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station, the joint venture was given approval for Ngatamariki which is a second novel station located northeast of Taupo.
Construction on this second 110-MW project valued at $400 million is likely to commence this year and begin operation by the winter of 2013.
The chief executive of Mighty River Doug Heffernan commented that the Ngatamariki underscores the company’s focus on developing geothermal energy in New Zealand.
Mighty River has also revealed information on its developments on geothermal energy in Chile. In an effort to express support for the renewable industry, Gerry Brownlee, the Minister for Energy and Resources of New Zealand, stated that the country might become a part of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).