A multimillion dollar expansion of the geothermal power station at Ngawha has been given the green light.
Two new stations will generate 25MW each and the first stage could be started as early as 2017. The two-stage expansion will triple the amount of electricity generated from the Ngawha geothermal field, the only high temperature resource of its kind outside the Taupo Volcanic Zone. It will produce enough electricity to power the whole Far North.
A panel of three commissioners late yesterday approved Ngawha Generation Limited's application to the Northland Regional and Far North District Councils for more than two dozen resource consents. Ngawha Generation also sought to replace consents for the existing 25MW facility it operates for owner Top Energy.
Public notification in February attracted 13 submissions, 11 of which were opposed to the expansion mainly for environmental and cultural reasons.
Consent conditions include a minimum three years between each station being built to help sustainably manage the geothermal reservoir. Another condition is the appointment of a Ngawha Generation-funded kaitiaki advisor and a monitoring plan to assess the health of culturally significant flora and fauna. The decisions can be appealed to the Environment Court for 15 working days.
