Contact Energy Drills Additional Geothermal Production Wells At Te Mihi
Contact Energy is to commence drilling the first in a series of four new geothermal production wells at Te Mihi, north
west of Taupo, which is expected to add a further 18 megawatts of renewable generation capacity.
Contact chief executive Mr Steve Barrett said that this was a significant investment in geothermal energy development
and part of Contact’s commitment to increasing output across the company’s generation portfolio to help meet New
Zealand’s future energy needs.
Geothermal steam from the Te Mihi wells will be used to generate additional electricity at Contact’s Poihipi and
Wairakei Geothermal Power Stations, enough to supply around 18,000 homes.
Drilling is scheduled to start in mid April. Each well will be approximately two kilometres deep and will take 30 days
to drill.