Wairakei geothermal power station
Central geotérmica de Wairakei
- Date
- 1958 · confidence high
- Place
- Wairakei, Taupō, Waikato, New Zealand
- Credited to
- New Zealand Government and Ministry of Works
- Field
- Matter & energy
What it is
The first geothermal power station in the world to exploit a water-dominated hot field rather than dry steam like Larderello. It set the steam-flash model used by most geothermal stations today.
It began producing in November 1958; final capacity reached about 190 MW.
What it led to
- flash stations in the Philippines, Kenya, Indonesia
- use of hot-water fields
- a leading country in geothermal energy