Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station

Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station was commissioned 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 center of five separate extraction and reinjection wells, some drilled to a depth of over 11,500ft, and each reticulated back to the station. The main feature of the station is a cooling system comprising four separate structures which when combined, stretch over 980ft and are nearly 150ft high.

Engaged as Client Representative by landowner Wairakei Pastoral Estate, RCP was responsible for ensuring the construction of the power station by Mighty River Power followed the underlying development agreements, and in particular Wairakei Pastoral Estates aspirations to minimize environmental impact.

Located just 10 miles from Taupo and set in a sensitive farming and forestry environment, the station incorporates several 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.