A new industrial estate being developed in Taupō will deliver geothermal energy to the doorsteps of its future users.
He Ahi, a 45-hectare greenfields site located in existing industrial area on the northern edge of Taupō is being established by Te Pae o Waimihia, and Tuaropaki Trust’s hydrogen business.
Tapping into clean energy to power business activities, the industrial park aims to provide positive environmental and commercial outcomes for tenants.
The land was purchased from Contact Energy in May by Te Pae o Waimihia, a forest hapū cluster trust representing six Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū: Ngāti Rauhoto, Ngāti Te Urunga, Ngāti Hineure, Ngāti Hinerau, Ngāti Tutetawha and Ngāti Tutemohuta.
Chairman Ngahere Wall says the deal represents a partnership between Te Pae o Waimihia and Contact Energy, and an exciting journey for the trust and hapū.
“As well as rental income, the project will give the trust and hapū preferential investment and employment opportunities with tenants, and a potential hub for our own projects.”
The project also reinforces Contact Energy’s commitment for operations to benefit Tauhara hapū and aligns with their strategy to grow demand through the supply of geothermal energy and electricity.
“This is a great initiative to make the benefits of geothermal development more widely accessible and we are very excited to be working closely with local hapū to establish this project,” Contact Energy geothermal resources and development general manager Mike Dunstall says.
Te Pae o Waimihia will develop industrial and business land lots for companies seeking a serviced site and leased facility, specifically designed and built for their business purposes.
Contact will have exclusive rights to sell geothermal energy to the tenants, as well as a right of first refusal on any electricity supplies.
Energy use on site must be primarily low carbon — geothermal, electricity or biomass such as wood chips or wood pellets.
Aptly named He Ahi, to signify fire, the project reflects the source of local geothermal energy.
“He Ahi also represents the fire that burns within ourselves to create opportunities for our people and our community,” Wall says.
Design and development work for the site has already commenced with the appointment of a project director Blandina Diamond and consultants Egmont Dickson take up the project management role.
“The development is an exciting part of Te Pae o Waimihia’s commercial and financial diversification, but also has strong demands focused on recognition of cultural expression and kaitikai of the environment,” Diamond says.
Starting in September 2022, the project infrastructure is due to be complete by mid-2023, with the first tenant already secured and their site will be ready at the same time.
Te Pae o Waimihia is involved in forestry and commercial property developments for the benefit of hapū, including providing employment opportunities, and grants for health, education, kaumatua, housing and marae.
