Geothermal
Geothermal is a major strategic focus for Mighty River Power and is crucial to our strategy of developing a wide range of renewable generation options to meet New Zealand’s growing demand for electricity.
In fewer than ten years we have built a $2 billion geothermal business. Together with our partners we are already one of the world’s top ten geothermal operators and our extensive development programme - the largest in New Zealand in the past twenty years – will see us continue to grow this part of the business.
Geothermal energy represents more than 20 per cent of Mighty River Power’s generation production and we expect it to represent more than 30 per cent by the end of the decade. We are currently active in three geothermal fields - at Rotokawa, Mokai and Kawerau - and significant potential exists for further development within the Taupo volcanic zone.
All Mighty River Power’s geothermal power stations and development projects are undertaken in conjunction with our Maori partners, reflecting the fact that Maori groups generally own the land that sits across the top of the resource and are actively participating in the utilisation of the resource. These partnerships make us unique amongst power companies and underpin our geothermal success.