Engineering and construction management giant SNC-Lavalin Group is to build a 166 MW geothermal power project in New Zealand in a joint venture with consultants Parsons Brinkerhoff and McConnell Dowell. The contract awarded by Contact Energy of Wellington covers engineering, procurement and construction management for the Te Mihi base-load project. Financial details have not been disclosed.
Two new geothermal power units each of 83 MW are to be completed by 2013. They will be built near the existing Wairakei geothermal station northwest of Taupo. Once they are completed, 45 MW of Wairakei’s existing capacity will be shut down.