Eastland Generation

{{Infobox company

| name = Eastland Generation

| logo =

| type = Private

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| foundation = 2010

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| location_city = Kawerau

| location_country = New Zealand

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| key_people =

| industry = Electricity generation

| parent =

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| homepage = {{URL|https://eastlandgeneration.nz/}}

}}

Eastland Generation is a New Zealand electricity generation company specialising in renewable energy. As of 2024 it owns and operates three geothermal, one hydro-electric, and one solar power station. The company was originally wholly-owned by the Eastland Group, a regional infrastructure holding company 100% owned by the Trust Tairāwhiti regional infrastructure trust. In May 2024 Eastland Group sold 50% of the company to the Obayashi Corporation as part of a capital raise.

History

Eastland Generation evolved from the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board. During the electricity sector reforms of the 1990s, the PEPB was rebranded as Eastland Energy, then the Eastland Network, with ownership vested in a community trust.{{cite web |url=https://trusttairawhiti.nz/who-we-are/our-history/ |title=Our history |publisher=Trust Tāirawhiti |access-date=16 August 2024}} The Eastland network expanded into electricity generation in 1999 with the purchase of the Waihi hydroelectric station. In 2010, the generation assets were separated into a separate company following the purchase of a geothermal power station.

In 2016 damage to the Waihi dam caused ongoing pollution to the area's drinking water, resulting in the company having to pay the Wairoa District Council more than $100,000 in cleanup costs.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/regional/302985/waihi-dam-breached-consent-for-years |title=Waihi Dam breached consent for years |publisher=RNZ |date=4 May 2016 |access-date=16 August 2024}}

In 2018 the company completed construction of the 24MW Te Ahi o Maui geothermal power station.{{cite web |url=https://sunlive.co.nz/news/190187-nzs-newest-power-plant-is-full-steam-ahead.html |title=NZ's newest power plant is full steam ahead |publisher=SunLive |date=2 October 2018 |access-date=16 August 2024}} In June 2021 Eastland acquired the 26 MW TOPP1 geothermal station.{{cite web |url=https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/eastland-group-acquires-topp1-geothermal-plant-in-kawerau-nz/ |title=Eastland Generation acquires the 26 MW TOPP1 geothermal power plant at the Kawerau geothermal field in New Zealand. |publisher=Think GeoEnergy |date=5 June 2021 |access-date=16 August 2024}} In August 2023 it received fast-track consent for its Tāheke 8C geothermal power station.{{cite web |url=https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/fast-track-consenting-approved-for-taheke-geothermal-project-new-zealand/ |title=Fast-track consenting approved for Taheke geothermal project, New Zealand |publisher=Think GeoEnergy |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2024}} In November 2023 it commissioned Te Ihi o te Ra, its first solar power station.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Tairāwhiti's Solar Farm Debut: New Zealand's Largest |url=https://gisborneairport.nz/about-us/news/tairawhitis-solar-farm-debut-new-zealands-largestnew-blog-post/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Gisborne Airport |language=en-AU}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/lodestone-eastlands-new-solar-power-projects-switched-on-generating-electricity/R3OPBZ3MQFDANEYBNEHQWDKQOI/ |title=Lodestone, Eastland's new solar power projects switched on, generating electricity |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=24 November 2023 |access-date=23 November 2023}}

In May 2024 Eastland Group sold 50% of the company to the Obayashi Corporation as part of a capital raise.{{cite web |url=https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/obayashi-completes-50-acquisition-of-nz-based-eastland-generation/ |title=Obayashi completes 50% acquisition of NZ-based Eastland Generation |publisher=Think GeoEnergy |date=3 May 2024 |access-date=16 August 2024}}

Power stations

=Operational=

Name	Type	Location	Capacity (MW)	Annual generation (average GWh)	Commissioned
class="wikitable"
\| Geothermal Development Limited	Geothermal	Kawerau	8		2008
\| Te Ahi O Maui	Geothermal	Kawerau	24		2018
\| Te Ihi o te Ra	Solar	Gisborne Airport, Gisborne	5.2	7.3	2023
\| TOPP1	Geothermal	Kawerau	26		2012
\| Waihi Dam	Hydro	Lake Ruapapa, near Wairoa	5		1986

=Proposed / under construction=

class="wikitable" ! Name !! Type !! Location !! Projected capacity (MW) !! Status
\| Taheke 8C	Geothermal	Okere Falls	35	Consented
\|Tolaga Bay	Solar	Tolaga Bay, East Coast	11.7	Proposed{{cite web \|url=https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/fast-track-approvals-bill-includes-10-new-solar-farms/ \|title=Fast-track Approvals Bill includes 10 new solar farms \|publisher=Farmers Weekly \|date=7 October 2024 \|access-date=11 October 2024}}
\| TOPP2	Geothermal	Kawerau	49	Consented

References

External links

{{official website|https://eastlandgeneration.nz/}}

Category:Electric power companies of New Zealand

Category:New Zealand companies established in 2010