Ormat Technologies has entered into NZ$36m ($24.3m) contract with Eastland Group for Te Ahi O Maui geothermal project located near Kawerau, New Zealand.
Under the contract, Ormat will be offering its air-cooled Ormat Energy Converter for the geothermal project as part of the Supply & EPC deal.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2018 and it is jointly owned by Eastland Generation and Kawerau A8D Ahu Whenua Trust.
After completion, the plant will be able to generate at least 22MW of net electricity which will be enough to supply power to 22,000 homes.
Kawerau A8D Ahu Whenua Trust owns the land on which the geothermal project will be constructed.
Eastland Group CEO and Te Ahi O Maui board chairman Matt Todd said: "Ormat has over 30 years’ experience in the New Zealand geothermal energy industry and is involved in 12 geothermal projects around the country.
"They have the necessary skills and knowledge that we can rely on for the successful delivery of the Te Ahi O Maui project."
The Te Ahi O Maui geothermal project holds resources to supply 15,000 tonnes of geothermal fluid on a daily basis for the Kawerau geothermal reservoir.
Ormat Technologies CEO Isaac Angel said: "New Zealand is an early pioneer in geothermal energy, and for the past forty years it has been the country with the most consistent policy support for geothermal energy.
"Ormat has been very active in New Zealand since the late 80’s, and we have installed our technology in 14 geothermal power plants covering over 350 MW.
"We are very pleased to partner with the Eastland Group, we look forward to share our technology, accumulated knowledge, and experience with our customer and to add to its portfolio another cost-effective and reliable power plant."
Image: The Te Ahi O Maui partnership and Ormat sign a deal to construct a geothermal power plant near Kawerau. Photo: Courtesy of Eastland Group Ltd.