New geothermal plant half-owned by Tairāwhiti company has opened

Eastland Generation and its partners have opened a new geothermal power plant in the Bay of Plenty. Tairāwhiti Investments (formerly Eastland Group) owns 50% of Eastland Generation. Photo / Supplied

Eastland Generation and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets Ltd have celebrated the official opening of their new 49MW TOPP2 geothermal power plant in the Bay of Plenty.

Tairāwhiti Investments Ltd, formerly the Eastland Group, owns 50% of Eastland Generation.

“New Zealand is another step closer to a genuinely sustainable future, with the new geothermal plant now generating enough renewable energy to power 55,000 homes.” Eastland Generation chief executive officer Alice Pettigrew said.

The plant was officially opened on Friday of last week at an event attended by around 200 guests.

Officials and dignitaries at the official opening.

Located on the Kawerau Geothermal Reservoir in the Bay of Plenty, TOPP2 showcases “a unique collaborative model”, a statement from Eastland Generation said.

TOPP2 is owned and operated by Eastland Generation.

It was developed together with Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai-owned Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets, which provide a long-term supply of geothermal fluid to the station.

“The TOPP2 power plant, built here on our whenua and powered by our geothermal energy, reflects the strong partnership with Eastland Generation in delivering renewable energy,” Tūwharetoa Group chief executive Robbie Watt said in the statement.

“It demonstrates iwi leadership, innovation and commercial partnerships in action.”

Pettigrew thanked everyone involved in the project.

“The official opening was a memorable day.”

Eastland Generation had a partnership approach to development, she said.

“TOPP2 is an excellent example of the immediate and ongoing value this model can deliver.

“The Government aims to double geothermal energy use by 2040 and with the successful delivery of this project, we’re helping to build regional energy resilience and supplying electricity to support New Zealand’s economic growth.”

TOPP2 is the largest of Eastland Generation’s four geothermal power plants, and its portfolio also includes Tairāwhiti’s first utility-scale solar farm at Gisborne Airport, along with a hydro scheme near Wairoa.

“With the addition of TOPP2, Eastland Generation’s operating capacity is now 118MW – the equivalent of 3.7% of national electricity demand,” Pettigrew said.

“More renewable energy projects are in the planning stages, including further solar farms on the East Coast.”

Tairawhiti Investment Ltd’s chairman Paul Silk said TOPP2 was a major milestone for the project partners, and for Tairāwhiti Investments and Obayashi Corporation as joint shareholders of Eastland Generation.

“This important inter-generational asset will benefit local communities and contribute to New Zealand’s renewable energy goals.”

Trust Tairāwhiti chief executive Doug Jones said the trust was proud to see Eastland Generation continue to grow its renewable energy portfolio.

“As a shareholder through Tairāwhiti Investments Ltd, we see projects like this as critical infrastructure that supports both regional economic development and New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions energy system.”