Constructed at a time of major hydro and HV transmission developments, it was New Zealand's first big thermal power station planned for continuous baseload operation.

Initially, fuel for this power station was to be coal, barged up from the West Coast, and the Port Taranaki site was chosen ahead of one at Wanganui.

Plant operation generally decreased from 1999, after the more efficient Otahuhu combined cycle power station was commissioned.

NPPS has often played a vital role in dry years (such as 2001, 2003 and 2008), when hydro lake inflows were insufficient to meet demand.

This was in response to a nationwide electricity generation shortfall resulting from low hydro lake levels and is generally regarded as one of the most critical energy decisions ever made in New Zealand.

In 2014 and 2015, the power station equipment was removed and the boiler house demolished, with all the plant, piping and structure being sold as scrap metal.

The steam turbines are 3000 rpm single-shaft, three-cylinder (HP, IP and LP) design, with six stages of feed heating.