Eastland Generation

Last updated

Eastland Generation
Company typePrivate
IndustryElectricity generation
Founded2010
Headquarters,
New Zealand
Website eastlandgeneration.nz

Eastland Generation is a New Zealand electricity generation company specialising in renewable energy. As of 2024 it owns and operates three geothermal, one hydro-electric, and one solar power station. The company was originally wholly-owned by the Eastland Group, a regional infrastructure holding company 100% owned by the Trust Tairāwhiti regional infrastructure trust. In May 2024 Eastland Group sold 50% of the company to the Obayashi Corporation as part of a capital raise.

Contents

History

Eastland Generation evolved from the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board. During the electricity sector reforms of the 1990s, the PEPB was rebranded as Eastland Energy, then the Eastland Network, with ownership vested in a community trust. [1] The Eastland network expanded into electricity generation in 1999 with the purchase of the Waihi hydroelectric station. [1] In 2010, the generation assets were separated into a separate company following the purchase of a geothermal power station. [1]

In 2016 damage to the Waihi dam caused ongoing pollution to the area's drinking water, resulting in the company having to pay the Wairoa District Council more than $100,000 in cleanup costs. [2]

In 2018 the company completed construction of the 24MW Te Ahi o Maui geothermal power station. [3] In June 2021 Eastland acquired the 26 MW TOPP1 geothermal station. [4] In August 2023 it received fast-track consent for its Tāheke 8C geothermal power station. [5] In November 2023 it commissioned Te Ihi o te Ra, its first solar power station. [6] [7]

In May 2024 Eastland Group sold 50% of the company to the Obayashi Corporation as part of a capital raise. [8]

Power stations

Operational

NameTypeLocationCapacity (MW)Annual generation
(average GWh)
Commissioned
Geothermal Development LimitedGeothermal Kawerau 82008
Te Ahi O MauiGeothermal Kawerau 242018
Te Ihi o te Ra SolarGisborne Airport, Gisborne 5.22023
TOPP1Geothermal Kawerau 262012
Waihi DamHydroLake Ruapapa, near Wairoa 51986

Proposed / under construction

NameTypeLocationProjected capacity (MW)Status
Taheke 8CGeothermal Okere Falls 35Consented
TOPP2Geothermal Kawerau 49Consented

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Our history". Trust Tāirawhiti. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. "Waihi Dam breached consent for years". RNZ. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  3. "NZ's newest power plant is full steam ahead". SunLive. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  4. "Eastland Generation acquires the 26 MW TOPP1 geothermal power plant at the Kawerau geothermal field in New Zealand". Think GeoEnergy. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. "Fast-track consenting approved for Taheke geothermal project, New Zealand". Think GeoEnergy. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  6. "Tairāwhiti's Solar Farm Debut: New Zealand's Largest". Gisborne Airport. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  7. "Lodestone, Eastland's new solar power projects switched on, generating electricity". New Zealand Herald. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  8. "Obayashi completes 50% acquisition of NZ-based Eastland Generation". Think GeoEnergy. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.