Oct 13, 1995 CE
Contact Energy Established
Contact Energy is formed as a state-owned enterprise from the merger of the electricity generation and retail assets of the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ). #energy #nz
Chronological Storyline (41 Milestones)
Jun 1, 1996 CE
Roxburgh Power Station Transfer
Contact Energy takes ownership of the Roxburgh Power Station, a hydroelectric plant on the Clutha River, as part of the asset split from ECNZ. #energy #nz
Sep 1, 1996 CE
Strathmore Power Station Transfer
Contact Energy acquires the Strathmore Power Station, a gas-fired thermal plant in Stratford, Taranaki. #energy #nz
1996 CE
Otahuhu Power Station Acquisition
The Otahuhu gas-fired power station is transferred to Contact Energy, adding to its thermal generation fleet. #energy #nz
By Stug.stug - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18572834
1996 CE
Clyde Dam Transfer
The Clyde Dam, another major hydroelectric station, is transferred to Contact Energy, significantly boosting its generation capacity. #energy #nz
Jun 1, 1997 CE
Contact Energy IPO on NZX
Contact Energy lists on the New Zealand Exchange (NZX) through an initial public offering, selling 60% of its shares to investors. The IPO is one of the largest in New Zealand history. #finance #nzx
1999 CE
Full Privatisation: Sale of Remaining Government Stake
The New Zealand government sells its remaining 40% stake in Contact Energy, fully privatising the company. #energy #privatisation
Sep 1, 2000 CE
Acquisition of Aurora Energy's Retail Business
Contact Energy acquires the retail electricity and gas business of Aurora Energy, expanding its customer base in the lower North Island. #acquisition
Apr 1, 2001 CE
Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Power Station Development
Contact Energy begins development of the Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station near Taupo, which becomes the world's largest single-shaft geothermal plant. #geothermal #energy
2002 CE
Completion of New Plymouth Retrofitting
Contact Energy completes a major retrofit of the New Plymouth Power Station, converting it from oil to gas firing. #energy #nz
By Pakaraki (talk) - Own work (Original text: self-made), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30119057
Oct 1, 2003 CE
Otahuhu B Power Station Commissioned
The Otahuhu B combined cycle gas turbine power station begins commercial operation, adding 404 MW of capacity. #energy #nz
Jun 1, 2004 CE
Sale of Wairakei Geothermal Power Station
Contact Energy sells the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station to a joint venture between itself and Tauhara North No.2 Trust, later operated by Contact under lease. #geothermal
2004 CE
Acquisition of Natural Gas Retail from Genesis Energy
Contact Energy acquires the gas retail business of Genesis Energy, strengthening its presence in the natural gas market. #acquisition #gas
2005 CE
Launch of 'Energy Online' Brand
Contact Energy launches a sub-brand 'Energy Online' aimed at the wholesale and direct retail market, offering online account management. #branding
2006 CE
Tauhara Geothermal Expansion
Contact Energy starts construction on the Tauhara II geothermal project, expanding its geothermal portfolio near Taupo. #geothermal
2007 CE
Te Mihi Power Station Resource Consent
Contact Energy obtains resource consents for the Te Mihi geothermal power station, a 166 MW project near Wairakei. #geothermal
By RustySheep - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33055577
Aug 1, 2008 CE
Sale of Retail Gas Business to Nova Energy
Contact Energy sells its retail gas network and customer contracts to Nova Energy, focusing on electricity generation. #divestiture
Apr 1, 2009 CE
Strathmore B Power Station Completed
The Strathmore B peaking plant, a 100 MW open-cycle gas turbine station, is commissioned in Taranaki. #energy #nz
May 20, 2010 CE
Nga Awa Purua Geothermal Station Opens
The Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station is officially opened, featuring the world's largest geothermal turbine unit at 132 MW. #geothermal #record
2011 CE
Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility Acquisition
Contact Energy acquires the Ahuroa gas storage facility in Taranaki, enhancing its gas supply flexibility and security. #gas
May 1, 2012 CE
Closure of New Plymouth Power Station
Contact Energy announces the closure of the New Plymouth Power Station, a 600 MW thermal plant, due to age and declining profitability. #closure #energy
Nov 1, 2012 CE
Te Mihi Geothermal Station Commissioned
Te Mihi geothermal power station begins commercial operation with 166 MW capacity, replacing the majority of steam output from the old Wairakei binary plant. #geothermal
Jun 1, 2013 CE
Contact Energy Buys Dual-Power Group
Contact Energy acquires Dual Power Group, a provider of solar and battery solutions, entering the distributed energy market. #solar #acquisition
Sep 1, 2014 CE
Contact Energy Announces 'New Way of Working'
Contact Energy restructures into two separate business units: 'Generation' and 'Retail & Services', streamlining operations. #restructure
Mar 1, 2015 CE
Appointment of Dennis Barnes as CEO
Dennis Barnes becomes Chief Executive Officer, succeeding David Baldwin. Under his leadership, Contact focuses on renewable energy and customer centricity. #leadership
Jun 1, 2016 CE
Contact Energy Enters Solar Market
Contact Energy launches a large-scale solar pilot project at the Kapuni gas station, marking its entry into solar generation. #solar
Nov 1, 2017 CE
Sale of Ahuroa Gas Storage to Gasfields Ltd
Contact Energy sells the Ahuroa gas storage facility, exiting non-core gas storage operations. #divestiture
May 1, 2018 CE
Geothermal Expansion: Poihipi Road Upgrade
Contact Energy completes a 50 MW increase at the Poihipi Road geothermal station, adding new generation capacity. #geothermal
Aug 1, 2019 CE
Tauhara II Geothermal Station Delayed
Contact Energy announces a delay in the Tauhara II geothermal project due to technical issues and cost overruns. #geothermal
Mar 1, 2020 CE
COVID-19 Impact and Response
Contact Energy implements cost-saving measures and adjusts operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on essential power supply. #covid19
Oct 1, 2020 CE
Initial Investment in Solar Farm Projects
Contact Energy announces a $20 million investment in three solar farm projects in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. #renewable
Apr 1, 2021 CE
Appointment of Mike Fuge as CEO
Mike Fuge takes over as CEO from Dennis Barnes, with a focus on digital transformation and sustainability. #leadership
Nov 1, 2021 CE
Tauhara II Geothermal Station Commissioning
The Tauhara II geothermal power station (152 MW) begins commercial operation, marking Contact's largest geothermal project. #geothermal
Mar 1, 2022 CE
Launch of 'Contact Flex' Demand Response Program
Contact Energy introduces 'Contact Flex', a demand response program that incentivizes customers to reduce peak electricity usage. #innovation
Sep 1, 2022 CE
Solar Farm at Waipapa Commissioned
Contact Energy's first utility-scale solar farm at Waipapa (32 MW) starts generating electricity. #solar
Feb 1, 2023 CE
Acquisition of Simply Energy
Contact Energy acquires Simply Energy, a Christchurch-based renewable electricity retailer, expanding its South Island customer base. #acquisition
Jun 1, 2023 CE
Te Huka Geothermal Power Station Construction Start
Contact Energy begins construction on the Te Huka geothermal power station (50 MW) near Taupo, expected to be completed in 2025. #geothermal
Dec 1, 2023 CE
Contact Energy Joins Climate Leaders Coalition
Contact Energy becomes a signatory to the Climate Leaders Coalition, committing to science-based emission reduction targets. #climate
May 1, 2024 CE
Sale of Taranaki Combined Cycle Plant
Contact Energy sells the Taranaki combined cycle gas turbine plant to a private investor, exiting fossil fuel generation. #divestiture
Sep 1, 2024 CE
Contact Energy Carbon Neutrality Target Announced
Contact Energy announces a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, aligning with New Zealand's net-zero goals. #sustainability
2025 CE
Te Huka Geothermal Station Commissioned (Planned)
The Te Huka geothermal station is scheduled to begin commercial operation, adding 50 MW of renewable capacity. #geothermal