Waipapa Power Station

Waipapa Power Station
Waipapa Power Station in 2009
Location of Waipapa Power Station in New Zealand
Country	New Zealand
Location	Waikato River
Coordinates	38°17′31″S 175°41′1″E
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Opening date	1961
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Waikato River
Waipapa Power Station
Operator(s)	Mercury Energy
Commission date	1961
Turbines	3 Kaplan turbines
Installed capacity	54 MW
Annual generation	330 GWh

Waipapa Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the sixth hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River. It is the smallest power station on the Waikato River.

Waipapa is operated by the publicly listed company Mercury Energy, an electricity generation and retail company.

History

Although this site was initially considered in 1943, the decision to proceed with hydro development was not made until 1953. Construction began in 1955 and the first electricity was generated in April 1961. In 2001, the turbines were refurbished to improve operational efficiency.

Further reading

• Martin, John E, ed. (1991). People, Power and Power Stations. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. pp. 316 pages. ISBN 0-908912-16-1.
• Reilly, Helen (2008). Connecting the Country – New Zealand's National Grid 1886 - 2007. Wellington: Steele Roberts. ISBN 978-1-877448-40-9.

External links

• "Our Power Stations". Mighty River Power.