New power station to be built in Taupo

A new geothermal power station to be built in the Taupo district will supply power to about 45,000 New Zealand homes.

The Tuaropaki Power Company plans to build a new $90 million power plant on the Mokai geothermal field between Atiamuri, 25km southeast of Tokoroa, and Taupo.

Work is expected to begin shortly, with completion scheduled for April 2005. The 40MW Mokai 2 station is expected to boost output from the Mokai field by more than 60 per cent. A 60MW geothermal station is already there.