Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station

Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station was commissioned in 2013 by Mighty River Power and now forms an integral part of Mercury Energy’s renewable energy portfolio.

At a total cost of over $446 million, the station is operated as a Binary Plant producing over 82MW of electricity. The power station is strategically located at the centre of five separate extraction and reinjection wells, some drilled to a depth of over 3,500m, and each reticulated back to the station. The main feature of the station is a cooling system comprising of four separate structures which when combined, stretch over 300m and are nearly 15m high.

Engaged as Client Representative by landowner Wairakei Pastoral Estate, RCP were responsible for ensuring the construction of the power station by Mighty River Power was in accordance with the underlying development agreements, and in particular Wairakei Pastoral Estates aspirations to minimise environmental impact. Located just 17km from Taupo and set in a sensitive farming and forestry environment, the station incorporates a number of environmental mitigation initiatives to achieve these long-term objectives. These initiatives are a first for the power industry in NZ and have set the benchmark for future projects.