Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis says the expanded Ngāwhā geothermal power station coming to full production is great news for the north.
Mr Davis cut the ribbon on the expanded plant last week, which is now up to its full 57 MegaWatt capacity - a far cry from the experimental 8MW station built in the 1990s in a joint venture between Top Energy and Tai Tokerau Māori Trust Board.
While the board no longer has a stake in the complex, Mr Davis says Top Energy has maintained good relations with tangata whenua, especially local iwi Ngāti Rangi.
He says the new station can generate enough power for Northland’s needs and has already resulted in lower bills with customers not having to pay line charges to bring power from the south.