Aratiatia Power Station
Aratiatia | |
---|---|
![]() Aratiatia Rapids with opened spill gates | |
Land | Neuseeland |
Standort | near Taupo |
Status | Operational |
Opening date | 1964[1] |
Owner(s) | Mighty River Power |
Dam and spillways | |
Impounds | Waikato River |
Reservoir | |
Surface area | 55 ha (140-acre) |
Power Station | |
Operator(s) | Mighty River Power |
Typ | Run-of-the-river |
Turbines | 3× Francis |
Installed capacity | 78 MW (105,000 hp)[1] |
Annual generation | 331 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]
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.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Our Power Stations". Mighty River Power.
- ^ "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.
External links
- MIghty River Power - Aratiatia photos