Skip to main content

Ormat Inks New Zealand Deal for World’s Largest Binary Geothermal Plant

💥 Ormat Inks New Zealand Deal for World’s Largest Binary Geothermal Plant 💥

By: Robert Buluma


In a groundbreaking development for geothermal energy, Ormat Technologies has signed a new contract with Contact Energy Ltd. to construct the Tehuka 3 geothermal power plant in New Zealand. This marks Ormat’s 16th geothermal power plant in the country and solidifies New Zealand's growing reputation as a global geothermal powerhouse.

🔋 59 MW of Clean Energy Incoming

Once completed, Tehuka 3 will generate 59 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy—enough to power thousands of homes and industries with clean electricity. Notably, Tehuka 3 is set to become the largest single geothermal binary unit operational plant in the world, representing a new milestone in binary cycle technology.

🌋 Built on Trust, Powered by Tauhara

This contract marks the third collaboration between Ormat and Contact Energy, underscoring a trusted partnership. The Tehuka 3 plant will be located near the existing Tehuka 1 & 2 plants and will utilize the rich geothermal resources of the Tauhara geothermal field, a region known for its vast underground energy reserves.

💨 Advanced Air-Cooled Technology

As part of the agreement, Ormat will supply its air-cooled Ormat Energy Converters, which offer enhanced efficiency and minimal water usage—perfect for sustainable power generation in regions with limited water resources.

💼 Corporate Commitment

Doron Blachar, CEO of Ormat Technologies, emphasized the deal’s strategic importance:

 “The signing of these two contracts increases our product segment backlog and provides a significant contribution to our expected product segment revenues and margins.”

🎉 A Win for Clean Energy

This achievement is a testament to the dedication and collaboration between Contact Energy and Ormat’s teams who worked tirelessly to finalize this game-changing agreement.

Related: Ormat's Crescent Valley Geothermal projects set to take shape.

🌎 Why This Matters

New Zealand continues to lead the way in geothermal development, showcasing how clean, baseload energy can be harnessed sustainably. Projects like Tehuka 3 demonstrate the growing role of binary technology in global energy transitions and further cement Ormat’s leadership in geothermal innovation.

Source: Ormat

Connect With Us: LinkedIn, X

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Hot Topics

Mercury, Contact Lead NZ's Supercritical Geothermal Energy Revolution

🌋 From the Ground Up: New Zealand’s Bold Leap into a Supercharged Geothermal Future By:  Robert Buluma In the heart of New Zealand, beneath the rugged volcanic landscapes and steaming geysers, lies an energy revolution waiting to erupt. On July 30th, 2025, a powerful message echoed from the geothermal capital of the Southern Hemisphere — New Zealand is not just embracing its geothermal potential; it is preparing to unleash it. With the unveiling of the draft strategy titled From the Ground Up , the government, led by Minister Shane Jones for Resources and Regional Development, signaled a transformative shift in how the nation will harness the heat beneath its feet — and it's as ambitious as it is inspiring. 🔥 A Legacy Forged in Steam New Zealand’s geothermal story is deeply rooted in its identity. Long before turbines spun and power grids buzzed, Māori ancestors were using geothermal waters for warmth, healing, and cooking. Geothermal, or waiwhatu , is more than a resource — ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Germany Maps 150+ Deep Geothermal Projects, 2000MW Planned

🌍 Germany’s Geothermal Boom: 2,000 MW in the Pipeline as New Map Reveals Over 150 Deep Geothermal Projects By: Robert Buluma Germany is turning up the heat—literally—on its clean energy future. A newly released map from the German Geothermal Energy Association (BVG) shows a dramatic surge in deep geothermal energy projects across the country. Titled "Deep Geothermal Projects in Germany," the map offers a comprehensive snapshot of over 150 geothermal projects currently in planning, with a staggering potential to generate up to 2,000 MW of thermal energy , and in some cases, electricity. 🔍 Current Geothermal Landscape in Germany According to the BVG, there are now: 42 operational deep geothermal plants 31 provide only heat 9 produce both heat and electricity 2 generate electricity exclusively 16 plants currently under construction 155 new plants in the planning phase 8 research facilities 170 thermal baths powered by geothermal sources The currently installed capacity stan...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ormat's Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Secures Green Light in Nevada

🌋 Powering the Future:  Ormat's Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Secures Green Light in Nevada 🌱⚡ By  Robert Buluma In a major stride for clean energy advancement, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has completed its environmental assessment and officially approved the Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project spearheaded by Ormat  Nevada, Inc. This landmark decision—reached on July 16, 2025 —unlocks the potential to generate 30 megawatts of geothermal power from the heart of Crescent Valley , situated between Eureka and Lander Counties in Nevada . 🔍 Project Snapshot Project Name: Crescent Valley Geothermal Development Project Developer:   Ormat Nevada, Inc. Facility Size: ~30 MW (net rated) geothermal power plant Project Footprint: ~2,066 acres on public and private lands Location: Crescent Valley, Battle Mountain, NV (Zip: 89821 & 89820) NEPA Status: Completed Environmental Assessment (DOI-BLM-NV-E020-2025-0010-EA...
Post a Comment
Read more

🔥Geothermal Gold Rush: BLM New Mexico Opens Land Nominations for 2026 Lease Sale🔥

Santa Fe, New Mexico – In an exciting move for the geothermal industry, the  Bureau of land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office is officially welcoming nominations for geothermal leasing ahead of its upcoming lease sale, expected to take place in March 2026 . By : Robert Buluma If you’ve been eyeing geothermal development opportunities, the clock is ticking— all nominations must be submitted by September 25, 2025 . ⚡ Why This Matters Geothermal energy is a game-changer. It's clean, renewable, and offers reliable baseload power—something wind and solar can’t always guarantee. As climate action intensifies and demand for sustainable power surges, tapping into the Earth’s heat is becoming one of the most promising frontiers in the American West. The BLM plays a pivotal role in this transformation, managing 245 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estates across the country, making them a key player in the geothermal energy boom. Geothermal...
Post a Comment
Read more

Innargi Deep: Seismic Surveys Spark Geothermal Heating RevolutionHeading: Łódź DiINNARGI Digs Deep: Seismic Surveys Spark Geothermal Heating Revolutiong Revolution

🌍 Seismic Surveys Kick Off Geothermal Exploration in Łódź Why Łódź is Going Underground for Clean Heat By:  Robert Buluma In an exciting development for climate-focused energy innovation, the Danish company Innargi has teamed up with Veolia Energia Łódź to explore the geothermal potential beneath the city of Łódź, Poland. A letter of intent signed in late 2024 formalized their long-term partnership to decarbonize the city's district heating system by tapping into renewable geothermal resources. Mapping the Earth: What’s Happening & When Starting around August 11, 2025 , seismic surveys are scheduled to begin across four routes covering approximately 160–186 km throughout the city. Specialized vibro‑trucks will send controlled vibrations—lasting roughly 20 seconds—into the ground. These signals are captured by geophones placed in advance along the planned routes. The data will be used to build a detailed subsurface map in just 4 weeks . Survey operations are prima...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stanford’s Smart Cement Could Revolutionize Geothermal Energy”

Stanford  Engineers Unveil a Game-Changer: Smart Cement for Geothermal Wells By:  Robert Buluma In the ever-evolving journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, geothermal energy continues to rise as a powerful ally. But while the heat beneath our feet is abundant, safely and efficiently tapping into it isn’t always straightforward. Now,  Stanford University researchers may have just cracked a key challenge—with a material innovation that could transform the geothermal industry forever. 💡 The Problem: Cement Cracks and the Risk It Poses In geothermal wells, cement is used to seal and stabilize boreholes. But here’s the catch: high underground temperatures and pressures can cause traditional cement to crack over time. These micro-cracks can lead to serious risks—fluid leaks, well failure, environmental hazards, and even safety concerns for workers and communities. 🧠 The Solution: Stanford’s “Smart Cement” A team of  Stanford engineers, led by res...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Steam, Scandals, and Stalled Megawatts: KenGen’s Court Battle Over Olkaria VII Consultancy"

Power, Politics, and Procurement: Inside KenGen’s Legal Battle Over Olkaria VII Geothermal Consultancy By  Robert Buluma In a dramatic twist that’s shaken Kenya’s energy sector, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is locked in a legal showdown over the consultancy tender for its highly anticipated Olkaria VII geothermal power plant. The project, aimed at injecting 80 megawatts of clean energy into the national grid, now faces turbulence—not from the underground steam chambers of Hell’s Gate, but from boardrooms and courtrooms. 🔍 What’s the Fuss About? At the heart of this high-stakes battle is a €18.16 million consultancy tender awarded to Italy’s ELC Electroconsult SPA . The catch? Their bid was over Sh200 million higher than that of the next technically qualified firm. The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB), Kenya’s watchdog for public tenders, wasn’t impressed. In a June 2025 ruling, PPARB annulled the award, citing procedural irregularities, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Arunachal Pradesh to Host India’s First Fully Indigenous 50 kW Geothermal Power Plant

Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh — In a landmark initiative for renewable energy innovation, India is set to commission its first fully indigenous 50 kW geothermal power plant in the Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh. By:  Robert Buluma Why it matters Operating at an unusually low geothermal temperature of just 68 °C , the project showcases India’s capability to harness Earth’s heat even at smaller scales. Designed to benefit about 5,000 residents in remote communities of Tawang district—Mago, Thingbu, and Damteng—it represents a decentralized model for clean energy supply. Who’s behind it The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) and Shriram Institute for Industrial Research (SIIR) have formalized their collaboration to carry the project forward. Their earlier work includes a 20 kW pilot using the same indigenous bipolar-process technology, preceded by trials with a 5 kW lab-scale model. Tech innovation at the core According to project insiders, trial campaigns ...
Post a Comment
Read more

PGEO's Geothermal Ambition Ignites: Lumut Balai Unit 2 Nears Full Power by June 2025

PGEO's Geothermal Ambition Ignites: Lumut Balai Unit 2 Nears Full Power by June 2025 By  Alphaxioms | June 18, 2025 In the heart of Sumatra’s steamy rainforest, a silent revolution is unfolding one that doesn't spew smoke or roar with turbines, but hums with the promise of a greener tomorrow. PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGEO) is racing against time to power up its PLTP Lumut Balai Unit 2 , and with the first successful synchronization to PLN’s grid, the countdown to full commercial operation by June 2025 has officially begun. ⚡ The Beginning of a Brighter, Cleaner Era On June 16, 2025, PGEO achieved a crucial milestone: initial synchronization of Lumut Balai Unit 2 at 10% capacity (around 5.5 MW) of its total 55 MW output. What may sound like a small step was, in fact, the spark igniting a larger geothermal ambition. This step not only marks the start of transmitting electricity into the national grid, but it is also a powerful symbol of Indonesia’s forward march t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Quaise Energy Breaks Ground in Geothermal Innovation with Millimeter-Wave Drilling

A groundbreaking milestone has just been achieved in the geothermal world.  Quaise Energy a bold energy tech startup, is turning heads by drilling through granite—not with traditional bits, but with powerful millimeter-wave energy.  By :  Robert Buluma This disruptive technology could unlock near-unlimited geothermal power deep beneath the Earth’s surface. 💡 The Power Beneath Our Feet Beneath the Earth's crust lies a massive source of heat—superhot rock that, if harnessed, could power the planet many times over. The challenge? It's buried miles deep in unforgiving conditions where traditional drill bits melt, wear down, or fail completely. Enter  Quaise Energy revolutionary solution: vaporizing rock with directed energy. ⚙️ How It Works Instead of grinding rock with steel,  Quaise uses millimeter-wave energy—essentially high-powered microwaves. These waves are delivered through a special pipe to the rock face, where they instantly melt or vaporize hard mater...
Post a Comment
Read more