Contact Energy, who signed an agreement with Golden Harvest Aquaculture to lease land and provide geothermal heat for the carp venture, will not extend deadlines in those commercial agreements and therefore believes the proposed Taupo carp farm will not proceed.  
 
Mike Dunstall, Contact’s Wairakei-based General Manager of Geothermal Resources and Development, said: “Having carefully considered the feedback from the community, local and national authorities, iwi, hapu and business partners, we have decided not to extend our commercial agreement with Golden Harvest Aquaculture beyond a shortly-approaching deadline, where the venture is required to have all necessary approvals and permits.” 
 
“This decision has been a difficult one for Contact. As with any commercial venture, we always aim to balance and respect the interests of our communities, support our business partners, operate in a sustainable manner, and maximise the value and use of the resources that we manage.” 
 
“Contact saw merit in exploring the carp farm project due to the promised creation of around 20 jobs, the new economic activity for the region and improved efficiency of use of geothermal energy.” 
 
“However, as a sustainable and responsible company we know the importance of robust and open debates on issues. It’s clear to us, based on the concerns raised about the carp farm, that there’s still a way to go to resolve questions about any proposed aquaculture ventures in the region.”  
 
ENDS 
 
 
Any questions about the venture’s deadline for approvals and permits should be directed to Golden Harvest Aquaculture. 
 
About Contact  Contact operates five geothermal power stations near Taupo and is a major employer in the region, with a team of around 150 based in Wairakei. Contact is one of New Zealand’s largest electricity generators and retailers, powering over 550,000 customers across the country with electricity, natural gas and LPG supported by a team of around 1,000 based in communities throughout New Zealand. www.contact.co.nz  
 
Media enquiries:  Shaun Jones Head of Communications, Contact Energy 021 204 4521