hydro-new-zealand-north-is


Arapuni Location: Waikato Operator: Mighty River Power Configuration: 4 X 25 MW, 4 X 26.6 MW Francis Operation: 1929-1946 T/G supplier: Sorumsand, Voith, Asea, MV EPC: Armstrong Whitworth, Public Works Dept Quick facts: This the oldest operating staion on the Waikato River and is 16km from Putaruru. The first unit went online in Jun 1929. The dam across the Arapuni Gorge is 64m high. The water then flows through a 1.2km open headrace, and then through penstocks to the powerhouse at the base of the gorge. The powerhouse is listed under the Historic Places Trust and the scheme cost $9mn. Starting in Sep 2005, Mighty River Power, Trevi SpA and Brian Perry Civil began a precision-drilling program designed to cut off rock fissures beneath the dam. These were known from the original construction but beginning in 2000, monitoring had revealed worrisome changes in the subsoil monitoring. Exploratory holes were drilled inside the dam galleries and interim grouting work was completed pending the full-scale mitigation process. This cost $20mn. Photograph by Andrew McCabe Posted 13 Nov 2004	Aratiatia Location: Auckland Operator: Mighty River Power Configuration: 3 X 31.3 MW Francis Operation: 1964 T/G supplier: Kvaerner, CGE Quick facts: This is the first hydro station and smallest hydro reservoir on the Waikato River. Photograph by Andrew McCabe Posted 13 Nov 2004	Atiamuri Location: Waikato Operator: Mighty River Power Configuration: 4 X 21 MW Francis Operation: 1958-1962 T/G supplier: EE, Asea Quick facts: Atiamuri power station was approved at the same time as the Ohakuri and Waipapa projects. This was the fifth dam in the Waikato system and construction started in Nov 1953. A worker village was built near the site on area cleared from pine plantations. Construction was completed 6mos ahead of schedule in Nov 1958. Generation from Atiamuri and the new Meremere coal-fired station allowed post-war, North Island electricity restrictions to be lifted by Christmas 1958. A fourth generator was added in 1962. Lake Atiamuri extends about 5km towards Taupo. Photograph by Br3nda (flickr) Posted 19 Sep 2008

Dawson Falls Location: Taranaki Operator: Department of Conservation Configuration: 1 X 80 kW Pelton Operation: 1935 T/G supplier: GE Quick facts: The Dawson Falls PS opened on 30 Jun 1934 to power the isolated Dawson Falls Lodge. The DC generator was built in 1901 and previously served the Kelburn Cablecar. It is the oldest DC generator continuously operating in New Zealand, and among the oldest operating in the world. Photograph courtesy of IPENZ Engineers New Zealand Posted 26 Dec 2010	Kaitawa Location: Hawke's Bay Operator: Genesis Power Configuration: 2 X 18.5 MW Operation: 1948 T/G supplier: GEC Photograph courtesy of Genesis Power Posted 25 Jan 2004	Kuratu Location: Auckland Operator: King Country Energy Ltd Configuration: 2 X 3 MW Francis Operation: 1962 T/G supplier: Boving, ASEA Quick facts: This small hydro plant is fed by an open channel from Lake Kuratu to a top screen and then into twin penstock pipes. Photograph courtesy of King Country Energy Ltd Posted 4 Dec 2008

Piriaka Location: MWT Operator: King Country Energy Ltd Configuration: 1 X 1 MW Francis, 2 X 230 kW Kaplan Operation: 1924-1971 T/G supplier: Maier, Boving, GE Quick facts: Piriaka is on the Wanganui River from which a small canal was built to an underground penstock. Originally, the plant was isolated and supplied Taumarunui, but in 1938 the local system was connected to the grid. Two additional small sets were added in 1971. Photograph courtesy of King Country Energy Ltd Posted 4 Dec 2008	Maraetai-B Location: Waikato Operator: Mighty River Power Configuration: 5 X 36.8 MW Francis Operation: 1971 T/G supplier: Kvaerner, Siemens Photograph courtesy of Mighty River Power Co Ltd Posted 27 Apr 2004	Piripaua Location: Hakwe's Bay Operator: Genesis Power Configuration: 2 X 22 MW Operation: 1941 T/G supplier: GEC Photograph courtesy of Genesis Power Posted 25 Jan 2004

Ruahihi Location: Bay of Plenty Operator: Trustpower Ltd Configuration: 2 X 10 MW Francis Operation: 1981 T/G supplier: Litostroj, Koncar Photograph courtesy of Trustpower Ltd Posted 27 Apr 2004	Tokaanu Location: Auckland Operator: Genesis Power Configuration: 4 X 60 MW Francis Operation: 1973 T/G supplier: AC, GEC Photograph courtesy of Genesis Power Posted 25 Jan 2004	Tuai Location: Hawke's Bay Operator: Genesis Power Configuration: 3 X 17.3 MW Francis Operation: 1929 T/G supplier: GEC Photograph courtesy of Genesis Power Posted 25 Jan 2004

	Whakamaru Location: Auckland Operator: Mighty River Power Configuration: 4 X 25 MW Francis Operation: 1956 T/G supplier: DePretto Escher Wyss, GEC Photograph courtesy of Mighty River Power Co Ltd Posted 25 Jan 2004