Waikato regional economic profile - Waikato Regional Council

The New Zealand Energy Strategy has signalled a target of having 90 per cent of NewZealand’s electricity needs being met by renewable forms of energy by 2025. Waikatois likely to play an important role in this because it already produces up to one-third ofthe nation’s renewable (non-fossil fuelled) electricity. Furthermore, in addition to majorhydro-power generation (Waikato River and Tongariro schemes), the Waikato is wellpositioned with energy resources including: 75 per cent of New Zealand's geothermal resources; cogeneration plants at major forestry and dairy industries; and significant potentials for wind power, wave power and biofuels. 158Figure 60: Location of electricity generators in the Waikato region 159Hydro generation is considered a “mature” technology in the region in that there is notmuch scope for future development of large dams in addition to the now fullydeveloped Waikato River Hydro Scheme.New Zealand is one of the most geothermally active countries in the world, and about75 per cent of the nation’s geothermal resources are in the Waikato region, as shownin Figure 61. 160 In addition to the existing geothermal power stations in the region,which began with Wairakei in 1958, ongoing developments include Mighty RiverPower’s 82 megawatt Ngatamariki plant north-east of Taupō 161 and Contact Energy’s159 megawatt Te Mihi plant north of Taupō 162 . Both are due to be completed in 2013.158Waikato Regional Energy Forum (2009, p. 28).159Electricity Authority (2011, p. 21). Does not show the Tauhara One/Te Huka plant.160Waikato Regional Council (2010, p. 85).161Mighty River Power (2012) Mighty River Power development projects update.162Contact Energy (2012) The Te Mihi project.Page 56 Doc #: 2069885