Tauhara Phase Two

Tauhara phase two geothermal power station

Renewable geothermal electricity is New Zealand’s most strategically important energy source. It is the only form of renewable electricity that doesn’t depend on the weather, providing baseload electricity 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

As some of the country’s old thermal power stations reach the end of their operating lives, New Zealand needs new electricity generation to fill the gap, as well as to meet New Zealand’s growing demand for electricity.

Geothermal development will be particularly important in helping New Zealand manage this transition to an increasingly clean and renewable energy sector.

As part of Contact’s geothermal development programme, we have filed resource consent applications for a 250 MW geothermal power station on the Tauhara geothermal steamfield, north east of Taupo, and near the new Te Huka Geothermal Power Station.

If approved, the power station will bring around $1 billion of investment into the Taupo region and the country’s energy supply, and will produce enough electricity to meet the needs of around 270,000 average homes.

Contact’s applications for resource consents are before the Tauhara II Board of Inquiry, which will consider the submissions on the proposal, hold a public hearing into the application in September/October and make a final decision about the proposal early in the New Year.

We’re committed to an open and transparent approach to developing this project as a part of the Taupo community.

If you’d like to know more about the project, please take a moment to read our brochure (1012KB) which explains this project in detail and provides answers to a range of questions that you might have.

Please feel free to contact us directly if you would like to discuss any aspect of this project on:

Freephone: 0800 000 458
Email: Tauhara2@contactenergy.co.nz