Sumitomo Completes Construction of Geothermal Power Station in New Zealand

One of Japan's major general trading companies, Sumitomo Corp., announced the completion of construction of the 140-megawatt (MW) Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station in New Zealand, with the country's prime minister, John Key, attending the opening ceremony on May 17, 2010. State-owned power company, Mighty River Power Ltd. (MRP), contracted with Sumitomo to install the Fuji Electric Systems steam turbine, which generates the world's largest single-unit output performance (as of May 2010).

The power station is located in the Taupo volcanic zones in the center of New Zealand's North Island. After signing the contract with MRP in March 2008, Sumitomo worked on construction of the plant for about two years starting in May 2008. This is Fuji's second delivery of the world's largest geothermal turbine in a single-unit, following the installation at the Wayang Windu geothermal power station (110 MW) in Indonesia in February 2009.

Geothermal power generation produces very little carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to conventional thermal power generation. It also has the merit of stable power production regardless of weather conditions, unlike other renewal energies such as wind or solar. Because of these advantages, the company sees a growing market for constructing more of these power stations in countries rich in geothermal resources such as New Zealand.

Sumitomo Corporation completes the construction of the geothermal power station for Mighty River Power Ltd. (New Zealand)
http://www.sumitomocorp.co.jp/english/news/2010/
20100517_050458.html

Posted: 2010/11/04 06:00:15 AM