Eastland Generation opens 49-MW TOPP2 geothermal power plant in New Zealand

The TOPP2 geothermal power plant in New Zealand (source: Eastland Generation)

Carlo Cariaga 23 Mar 2026

Eastland Generation has officially opened the new 49-MW TOPP2 geothermal power plant on the Kawerau Geothermal Reservoir in New Zealand. This follows on a story published before the end of 2025 on the power facility’s successful synchronization to the national grid.

TOPP2 is owned and operated by Eastland Generation. Showcasing a unique collaborative model, tt was developed together with Tuwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai-owned Ngati Tuwharetoa Geothermal Assets, who are providing a long-term supply of geothermal fluid to the station and whenua.

“Since 2005, T?wharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai has exercised kaitiakitanga over the geothermal reservoir in Kawerau, alongside our commercial developments, to deliver long-term value for our people,” said Tuwharetoa Group Chief Executive Robbie Watt. “The TOPP2 power plant, built here on our whenua and powered by our geothermal energy, reflects the strong partnership with Eastland Generation in delivering renewable energy. It demonstrates iwi leadership, innovation, and strong commercial partnerships in action.

TOPP2 is now the fourth operational geothermal power plant of Eastland Generation and the largest in their portfolio. The company now has 108 MW of total installed geothermal power generation capacity, in addition to a hydro-electric station and a utility-scale solar plant. TOPP 2 is a binary power plant, with the power plant facilities supplied by Ormat Technologies. It is also Eastland Generation’s first project to be completed since Obayashi Corporation acquired a 50% stake in the company.

Eastland Generation CEO Alice Pettigrew emphasizes further highlighted the company’s partnership approach to development, describing TOPP2 as “an excellent example of the immediate and ongoing value this model can deliver.”

Eastland Generation maintains an active pipeline of geothermal projects under development, having recently received a $20 million suspensory loan from the New Zealand Government to support early exploration in the Taumanu and Kopura geothermal sites.

The opening of TOPP2 comes just a few days after a similar ceremony for Unit 5 of the Nga Tamariki geothermal power station near Taupo. The Government of New Zealand had just recently published a strategy aiming to double geothermal energy utilization by 2040. Efforts on tapping into superhot geothermal resources, as well as increasing utilization of low to medium-temperature geothermal, are critical parts of this strategy.

Source: Eastland Generation