Jump to content

Aratiatia Power Station

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Pakaraki (talk | contribs) at 20:51, 18 March 2016 (add ref with more technical info). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Aratiatia
Aratiatia Rapids with opened spill gates
CountryNew Zealand
Locationnear Taupo
StatusOperational
Opening date1964[1]
Owner(s)Mighty River Power
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsWaikato River
Reservoir
Surface area55 ha (140-acre)
Power Station
Operator(s)Mighty River Power
TypeRun-of-the-river
Turbines3× Francis
Installed capacity78 MW (105,000 hp)[1]
Annual generation331 GWh (1,190 TJ)

Aratiatia Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the first hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, and is located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) downstream of Lake Taupo. Aratiatia is owned and operated by Mighty River Power.[1][2]

Aratiatia is a largely run-of-the-river station, as it generates electricity from water from the Lake Taupo control gates and to the Ohakuri Power Station. It does, however, have a 55-hectare (140-acre) lake behind the station for temporary storage.

Aratiatia Rapids

Before construction of the dam and hydro station, the Aratiatia Rapids were a prominent feature on the Waikato River. The dam construction meant that no water flowed over the rapids. However, several times a day, the Arariaria dam gates of the Waikato River are opened, which restores the rapids to their normal operation. There are several public lookout points on the high rock bluffs that dominate this turbulent stretch of Aratiatia Rapids.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Our Power Stations". Mighty River Power.
  2. ^ "Aratiatia". Mighty River Power. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "About the Aratiatia Rapids". Destination Great Lake Taupo.

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.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aratiatia_Power_Station&oldid=710748585"