Ormat Technologies, Inc. (Ormat) has entered into a supply and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with Mercury NZ Limited for the planned expansion of the Ngatamariki geothermal power plant, adding a 56-MW geothermal power facility in New Zealand. Mercury had recently announced its intention to incorporate a fifth generating unit at the Ngatamariki geothermal power station.
Under the terms of the agreement with Mercury, the project will constitute an expansion of the existing 96 MW Ngatamariki geothermal power plant, originally constructed by Ormat in 2012. The new power plant will be situated on the same platform as the existing facility and, upon its operation with the new Ormat Energy Converter (OEC), will contribute to a total output of over 150 MW (gross). This development positions the Ngatamariki site as the largest pure binary power plant in New Zealand and one of the top-5 largest globally.
See also: IRENA Calls for Global Embrace of Biofuels, Hydropower, and Geothermal Energy Beyond Solar and Wind
Upon full operation, Ormat's advanced geothermal equipment will play a significant role in powering nearly 45% of New Zealand's geothermal energy market. In conjunction with Ormat's existing geothermal power plants in the country, the Ngatamariki facilities will make substantial contributions to reducing CO2 emissions across the region. This will be achieved through the consistent delivery of clean, reliable, and sustainable electricity to the national grid.
The new power plant will leverage Ormat's state-of-the-art organic Rankine cycle technology and incorporate the latest turbine, offering high efficiency, reliability, and reduced maintenance requirements. This marks the third contract awarded to Ormat by Mercury, which already operates the 35 MW Rotokawa and the existing four Ngatamariki units.
Doron Blachar, CEO of Ormat Technologies, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Mercury and the expansion of the Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station. He remarked, “We have witnessed significant growth in New Zealand, and we're proud to build upon this momentum by expanding our Ngatamariki facility. This new order now represents the second-largest contract to emerge from New Zealand in the last 18 months. We are encouraged by the increasing adoption and expansion of geothermal electricity generation in the country. The inclusion of this new project will double the size of the expected third-quarter backlog in the Company's Products segment.”
See also: Baseload Capital Partners with Baker Hughes to Drive Geothermal Energy Expansion Worldwide
He further emphasized the company's role in supporting New Zealand's efforts to reduce CO2 emissions through sustainable electricity generation, particularly with the Ngatamariki expansion, alongside the ongoing Topp 2 and Tehuka projects. This collective effort positions Ormat Technologies as a significant contributor to the region's clean energy goals.
