Tauhara to Grant Consents for Geothermal Development

Contact Energy has received the draft Tauhara II decision regarding the company’s proposed Tauhara II geothermal development in Taupo. The draft decision proposes to grant the consents and a final decision is expected before the end of the year.

Contact Managing Director, David Baldwin, said the decision was good news for the company. “We are reviewing its content but are delighted that the draft decision is to grant the consents. We are also pleased that having been part of the new Environmental Protection Agency Board of Inquiry process we will likely receive a final decision by Christmas.”

Mr Baldwin said that the draft decision is another milestone in Contact’s geothermal development programme and reflects the technical strength of the application and a real focus on addressing issues during consultation.

Under the amended Resource Management Act, the new Board of Inquiry Consent process sets a deadline of nine months for a decision from time of notification. Contact supports this process and the certainty of timeframes it gives stakeholders.

The proposed Tauhara II geothermal development will be built on farmland about 5.5km north-east of the Taupo township and would provide approximately 250 megawatts of electricity.

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