Tauhara geothermal station finally opens after delays, cost increases and engineering problems

Tauhara opens after a number of headaches. (Image: Contact)

Fri, 22 Nov 2024

After a series of delays, cost increases and engineering headaches, Contact’s new geothermal power station at Tauhara formally opened on Friday.Once fully operational, the plant near Taupō will have a total capacity of 174 megawatts (MW). It is a crucial part of Contact’s plans to increase its geothermal assets.It has not been smooth sailing. When Tauhara was announced in 2021, Contact said construction would be completed in 2023 at a cost of $678 million.Construction started during the covid pandemic and took three and a half...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket gains in Labour day catch-up

Gentrack and A2 Milk both gained.

Graham Skellern 6:10pm

Law & Regulation

Freightways couriers park up over ‘unsafe’ practices

“I've cried in the van,” a courier tells the gathering of protesting drivers.

Maria Slade 3:34pm

Freightways couriers park up over ‘unsafe’ practices

Policy

Labour’s tax plan by the numbers

Labour has chosen a small target CGT and a popular health target.

Pattrick Smellie 1:15pm

Sponsored

NZ risks losing edge as Australia takes lead in cleaner jet fuel

Experts warn SAF delay could cost jobs and growth.

Z Energy

Sponsored

Focus on safety of SME vehicle fleets

Vehicle glass repairer’s work enhances road safety.

Smith & Smith

More Energy

Markets

Contact Energy expands global investor base

Contact Energy priced an inaugural €500 million (NZ$1.01b) 7-year senior bond under its Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme, it said Friday.“This marks a milestone in Contact’s funding strategy, expanding our global investor base and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable f...

Rebecca Howard 24 Oct 2025

News in Brief

Kominik resigns from Electricity Authority, will start review

Electricity Authority chair Anna Kominik has announced her resignation but will stay in the job until her successor is found.Energy Minister Simon Watts said Kominik will also start a board-led organisational review of the authority.The announcement follows the Government's r...

Ian Llewellyn 22 Oct 2025