Eastland Generation Goes To Market With Offtake Tender

New Zealand’s latest geothermal power plant is on track to be commissioned towards the end of 2025. Eastland Generation is now going to market seeking tenders for the offtake.

TOPP2, a 49MW Ormat binary plant, is situated on the Kawerau Geothermal Reservoir, and its completion will mark several major milestones for Eastland Generation.

“This is our largest geothermal project to date, and showcases our partnership approach to development,” says Eastland Generation Chief Executive Alice Pettigrew.

“It’s a unique project, with Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets Limited (NTGA) providing a long-term supply of geothermal energy to the station and managing the wells and steam field. Land is leased from Ngāti Tūwharetoa Holdings Ltd. With the supply of geothermal heat to the new station, TOPP2 will be NTGA’s largest customer.

“When TOPP2 is fully operational, Eastland Generation will have achieved the next phase of its growth strategy, bringing our total renewable energy generation portfolio to well over 100MW.

“Notably, this is also our first major geothermal project since Obayashi Corporation acquired a 50% stake in the company in April last year.”

TOPP2 is part of Eastland Generation’s diverse renewable energy portfolio that includes three other geothermal power plants in the Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti’s first utility scale solar farm and a hydroscheme in Hawke’s Bay.

Once construction is completed, testing and commissioning will get underway, and the station is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

Eastland Generation‘s overall operating capacity will increase from 69MW to 118MW, and generation from 477GWh to 898GWh.

The company is actively exploring additional renewal energy projects, with a development pipeline including further geothermal and solar opportunities.

Eastland Generation has partnered with Marex to support TOPP2’s electricity sales and is now undertaking a Request for Proposal process with interested parties and market participants.

“As an independent generator, working with Marex gives us access to a diverse range of customers and deeper insights into what customers, including industry, really need.

“We’re open to discussing a range of contract options to suit potential purchasers, including Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, Contract for Differences, and direct contracting,” says Ms Pettigrew.

Interested parties are invited to contact Eastland Generation Chief Financial Officer Belinda Lake at belinda.lake@egen.nz or Marex directly at electricitynz@marex.com

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