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The minister today said the new 155MW would provide reserve generation during dry periods when hydro lake inflows were abnormally low, as well as providing back-up in case of a major generation or transmission breakdown.
The plant's three oil-fired turbines have all been separately connected to the national grid and successfully tested at normal operating capacity of over 50MW each. All three turbines will be run together and undergo full reliability testing over the coming weeks.
Contact Energy is managing the construction of Whirinaki and will operate and maintain the plant on behalf of the Crown, which leases the site from Contact.
"We are delighted to have brought the project successfully to this stage and on time," said Contact chief executive Steve Barrett.
“Whirinaki's reserve generation capacity, along with electricity industry initiatives, will help meet New Zealand's electricity requirements during dry periods."
