NZ geothermal contract awarded

New Zealand power company Contact Energy has awarded the contract for the construction of two geothermal power units to a joint venture between contractors SNC-Lavalin, McConnell Dowell and Parsons Brinkerhoff.

Located northwest of Taupo on the north island of New Zealand, the US$ 623 million Te Mihi geothermal project will source power from the nearby Wairakei steam field.

The 166 mW project is scheduled for completion in 2013 and the new power station is planned to gradually replace the existing, 52 year-old Wairakei Power Station which will be phased out of production.

"Geothermal power is playing an increasingly important role in the industry and we are pleased to be expanding our experience in the worldwide renewable energy market," said Patrick Lamarre, executive vice president of SNC-Lavalin Group.