Power station plan, Gas turbine station consent process well underway

ARTIST'S impression of the new gas turbine power station in Tihiroa.

Plans for a $350 million gas turbine power station at Tihiroa, which can power more than 300,000 homes are well underway, with Otorohanga District Council (ODC) working through the required consents process.

But not everyone is pleased about the proposal, with some neighbours and the Green Party calling for a halt to the project.

The proposed power station will use open-cycle technology, powered by natural gas and be connected to the national grid.

"Gas turbines are an enabler for renewable generation by providing support to the national grid during periods of low wind and low hydro storage," says Nova Energy chief executive Babu Bahirathan.

"They are able to start and stop quickly and respond to changes in demand.

"The project proposes to use dry low emissions technology which significantly reduces the water take requirement compared to wet emissions control technologies," he says.

This means that there is no application for a water take from the Waipa River.

"Nova Energy chose the Tihiroa site as the preferred location for the new power plant because of its proximity to the Maui pipeline, transmission network and a major regional centre," says Mr Bahirathan.

"If approved, the power station will be built on farmland owned by Nova Energy, which will be converted from dairy to drystock and will continue to be farmed," he says.

At the council's July meeting, it was noted that the Nova Energy-driven project is likely to have an impact on 20-30 properties with transmission towers required, and some job opportunities once it has been built.

If consents are granted by the district council and Waikato Regional Council, it is likely the power station will be built in stages of 100-120MW with each able to power 100,000 homes.

CONCEPT of the gas turbine power station once all three stages are completed.

"The power plant's key purpose is to provide electricity during times of peak demand when other forms of generation are unable to supply the grid," says Mr Bahirathan.

ODC environmental services manager Andrew Loe says the process is still a way off , with entities such as Transpower still having to put forward its part of the project's consent application process.

Submissions for parties affected by the project close on Monday, October 17.

- Waitomo News