Ōhau C is a hydroelectric power station in the Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, New Zealand. Operated by Meridian Energy, it is one of the three Ōhau stations in the Upper Waitaki hydro scheme. It is a twin station to Ōhau B, and receives water that has already passed through Ōhau B from Lake Ruataniwha, before discharging into Lake Benmore.

History and construction

Construction of Ōhau C began in 1979 and the station became fully operational in 1985. It was the last hydro station built on the Waitaki scheme, completing the scheme 56 years after construction began on the Waitaki dam and power station in 1928.

The Upper Waitaki hydro scheme comprises the three Ōhau stations, the two Tekapo stations, two dams and six canals. Its development also created Lake Ruataniwha, the newest lake in the Waitaki Basin.

Description

Ōhau C has four 53-megawatt generating units with a total installed capacity of 212 MW. Like Ōhau B, it uses similar equipment and has the same generating capacity; the 2025 WSP hydro-schemes report states that each of the twin stations produces approximately 958 GWh annually.

See also

Further reading

  • Martin, John E, ed. (1991). People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 - 1990. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. pp. 316 pages. ISBN 0-908912-16-1.
  • Sheridan, Marion (1995). Dam Dwellers – End of an Era. Twizel: Sheridan Press. pp. 392 pages. ISBN 0-473-03402-6.

External links

Media related to Ohau C Power Station at Wikimedia Commons

  • - power station information