Contact Energy has been contracted by a consortium of McConnell Dowell Constructors, SNC-Lavalin Constructors, and PB New Zealand to build a USD 623 million Te Mihli geothermal project. Contact will be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 159MW plant near the 52 year old Wairakei geothermal power station, northwest of Taupo. Toshiba International will supply two turbines for the plant. Once the geothermal plant is completed, the Wairakei plant will be decommissioned.