Ergo is continuing a long-term involvement with Top Energy, providing electrical design services for the next stage of development for the Ngawha geothermal power plant. Ngawha has been operational since 1998, with an initial plant of 10MW followed by a further 15MW plant added in 2008, a project that Ergo participated in.
Top Energy is now looking to provide additional generation, to strengthen the electricity supply to the region. Ergo was engaged to establish the engineering feasibility and commercial viability of the expansion.
Our role includes the development of designs and cost estimates for the high voltage substation and the transmission system to integrate the entire Ngawha site into Top Energy’s distribution grid.
Top Energy also expanded their Geothermal Power Station, which included contracting Ormat to install a new Ormat Energy Converter (OEC) system and a 20 MVA generator.
Ergo’s role was to provide an upgrade to accommodate this increase in capacity. There were some unique challenges with this installation due to the hydrogen sulphide being a harsh, corrosive environment which would affect the new equipment. Consequently protective measures were put in place.
