Brownlee hails approval for geothermal station

Gerry Brownlee. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed preliminary approval to build the country's biggest geothermal power station as a big step toward achieving the target of 90 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

Contact Energy has been given draft resource consent to build the $1 billion Tauhara II near Taupo, with a final decision due in the next two months.

The station is expected to produce enough electricity to meet the needs of about 270,000 average homes.

"Not only will Tauhara II be an important economic development for the Taupo region, but geothermal energy is an important part of New Zealand's electricity generation mix," Brownlee said. Contact is also seeking approval for a large wind farm in Waikato.