Nga Awa Purua Power Station

Nga Awa Purua Power Station
Location of Nga Awa Purua Power Station in New Zealand
Country	New Zealand
Location	north of Taupo
Coordinates	38°36′43″S 176°11′35″E / 38.61194°S 176.19306°ECoordinates: 38°36′43″S 176°11′35″E / 38.61194°S 176.19306°E
Status	Operational
Construction began	May 2008
Commission date	May 2010
Construction cost	NZ$430 million
Owner(s)	Mercury Energy / Tauhara North No. 2 Trust joint venture
Operator(s)	Mercury Energy
Geothermal power station
Type	Flash steam
Wells	10
Max. well depth	2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Thermal power station
Cogeneration?	No
Power generation
Units operational	1× 140 MW
Nameplate capacity	140 MW
Capacity factor	90%
Average generation	1100 GWh
Website Nga Awa Purua - Mighty River Power

Nga Awa Purua is a geothermal power station located near Taupo in New Zealand. The project was developed by Mighty River Power (nowMercury 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]

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,^[5] and was officially opened by Prime Minister John Key on 15 May 2010.^[6]

The Rotokawa Power Station is situated close by.

See also

• List of power stations in New Zealand

References

1. "Nga Awa Purua". Mighty River Power.
2. "Mighty River committed to geothermal development". Scoop. 6 March 2008.
3. "Rotokawa II/Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Plant, New Zealand". renewable-energy.com.
4. Bradley, Grant (9 August 2011). "Underground resources ready to be tapped". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
5. "New power station adds to grid capacity" (Press release). Mighty River Power. 18 January 2010.
6. "Prime Minister opens geothermal power station". TVNZ. 15 May 2010.