Ngawha geothermal field
Encyclopedia
The Ngawha geothermal field is a geothermal area in the North Island
of New Zealand
. It is situated approximately 5 km east of Kaikohe
and is centred around the village of Ngawha Springs
. The field covers an area of around 25 km² and as such, is much smaller than the only other geothermal field in New Zealand, the Taupo Volcanic Zone
. The hot springs
arising in this area are slightly acidic and are rich in ammonia, bicarbonate, boron and mercury, which is not typical of other springs in New Zealand.
applied for and issued under the Resource Management Act
.
The plant is owned and operated by Top Energy, and utilises a binary cycle manufactured by Ormat Industries
.
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is situated approximately 5 km east of Kaikohe
Kaikohe
Kaikohe is the central service area for the Far North District of New Zealand, about 260 km from Auckland, situated on State Highway 12 at...
and is centred around the village of Ngawha Springs
Ngawha Springs
Ngawha Springs is a small settlement approximately five kilometres east of the town of Kaikohe, Northland in New Zealand.It is the location of Ngawha Springs, a hot water spring that reputedly has therapeutic properties for those who bathe in its waters, and is the source of the steam used at the...
. The field covers an area of around 25 km² and as such, is much smaller than the only other geothermal field in New Zealand, the Taupo Volcanic Zone
Taupo Volcanic Zone
The Taupo Volcanic Zone is a highly active volcanic V shaped area in the North Island of New Zealand that is spreading east -west at the rate of about 8mm per year...
. The hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
arising in this area are slightly acidic and are rich in ammonia, bicarbonate, boron and mercury, which is not typical of other springs in New Zealand.
Ngawha Power Station
The Ngawha geothermal power station opened in 1998 with a generating capacity of about 8MW. An expansion was completed in 2008, increasing the capacity to 25MW and allowing the power station to provide 70% of Northland's electricity. The Ngawha Power Station was the first power station to come into operation via a resource consentResource consent
A resource consent is the authorisation given to certain activities or uses of natural and physical resources required under the New Zealand Resource Management Act . Some activities may either be specifically authorised by the RMA or be permitted activities authorised by rules in plans...
applied for and issued under the Resource Management Act
Resource Management Act
The Resource Management Act passed in 1991 in New Zealand is a significant, and at times, controversial Act of Parliament. The RMA promotes the sustainable management of natural and physical resources such as land, air and water...
.
The plant is owned and operated by Top Energy, and utilises a binary cycle manufactured by Ormat Industries
Ormat Industries
Ormat Industries Ltd. is a provider of alternative and renewable energy technology. To date the company has installed over 750 power units worldwide...
.