Nga Awa Purua, also known as Rotokawa II, is a geothermal power station located near Taupō in New Zealand. The project was developed by Mighty River Power (now Mercury Energy).[1] Nga Awa Purua is New Zealand's second largest geothermal power station[2] and the steam turbine is the largest geothermal turbine in the world.[3]
Nga Awa Purua Power Station | |
---|---|
Country | New Zealand |
Location | north of Taupō |
Coordinates | 38°36′51″S 176°11′02″E / 38.61417°S 176.18389°E |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | May 2008 |
Commission date | May 2010 |
Construction cost | NZ$430 million |
Owner | Mercury Energy / Tauhara North No. 2 Trust joint venture |
Operator | Mercury Energy |
Geothermal power station | |
Type | Flash steam |
Wells | 10 |
Max. well depth | 2,500 m (8,200 ft) |
Power generation | |
Units operational | 1× 140 MW |
Nameplate capacity | 140 MW |
Capacity factor | 90% |
Annual net output | 1100 GWh |
External links | |
Website | Nga Awa Purua - Mercury Energy |
The power station is a joint venture between Mercury Energy (75%) and the Tauhara North No 2 Trust (25%), who represent about 800 owners affiliated to Ngati Tahu.[4] The $430 million project first generated electricity on 18 January 2010,[5] and was officially opened by Prime Minister John Key on 15 May 2010.[6]
The Rotokawa Power Station is nearby.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Geothermal Generation". Mercury Energy.
- ^ "Mighty River committed to geothermal development". Scoop. 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Rotokawa II/Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Plant, New Zealand". renewable-energy.com.
- ^ Bradley, Grant (9 August 2011). "Underground resources ready to be tapped". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ "New power station adds to grid capacity" (Press release). Mighty River Power. 18 January 2010.
- ^ "Prime Minister opens geothermal power station". TVNZ. 15 May 2010.