Hydroelectric power in New Zealand

Hydroelectric power in New Zealand is the largest source of electricity generation in New Zealand.

History

Reefton was the first town with a reticulated public electricity supply from a significant hydroelectric plant. [ [http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentPage____10135.aspx MED - Preface: Energy in New Zealand - A Short History] ]

Generation

Hydroelectric power accounts for 11% of the total primary energy usage in New Zealand with imported oil and oil products making up 36% of the primary energy. [cite book|last=Ministry for the Environment|title=Environment New Zealand 2007|location=Wellington, New Zealand|date=December 2007|series=ME847|pages=pg 111|isbn=978-0-478-30191-5|url=http://mfe.govt.nz/publications/ser/enz07-dec07/chapter-5.pdf]

Over the decade from 1997 hydroelectric power as a percentage of total net electricity generated went from 66% down to 55%. [cite web|url=http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentTOC____21413.aspx|title=Table 1: Net Electricity Generation by Fuel Type (GWh)|last=Ministry of Economic Development|date=2006-10-18|publisher=Ministry of Economic Development|accessdate=2008-09-09] An increase in coal and gas for electricity generation accounted for the reduction in hydroelectric power as a percentage of the total.

Large hydroelectric power schemes have been built in the Central Plateau region of the North Island and in the MacKenzie Basin in the South Island, as well as a series of power stations on the Waikato River.

Proposed projects

There are a number of proposed hydroelectric power projects in New Zealand.

Project Aqua was a large scheme proposed by Meridian Energy on the Waitaki River but was dropped after significant opposition. A new proposal put forward by Meridian Energy for a hydroelectric power scheme on the river is the "North Bank Tunnel Concept". [ [http://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/OurProjects/NorthBankTunnel/ Meridian Energy - North Bank Tunnel Concept] ]

One contentious scheme is the damming of the Mokihinui River by Meridian Energy resulting in a loss of recreational opportunities, historic sites and high value conservation land. Another is a canal and power station scheme, which has recently obtained a resource consent, on the Wairau River.

TrustPower have applied for a resource consent for a new power station on the Arnold River on the West Coast. Resource consent hearings are completed and a decision is expected before the end of 2008. [ [http://www.arnoldpower.co.nz/ Arnold Valley Hydro Electric Power Scheme] ] update after|2008|12|31

Environmental issues

There has been opposition to hydroelectric power on environmental grounds for many decades.

The first nationwide environmental campaign in New Zealand was opposition to raising Lake Manapouri for a power station to supply electricity to an aluminium smelter. The Save Manapouri Campaign was a success and the power station was built without raising the the level of lake outside of its natural range.

The highly endangered Black Stilt, which nests on the braided rivers beds of the South Island, is threatened by changes in river flows as a result of new hydro dams and changes in flow regimes for existing dams. [cite book|last= Reed & |first=C.E.M.|coauthors=D.P. Murray|title=BLACK STILT RECOVERY PLAN "(Himantopus novaezealandiae)"|publisher=Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|location=Wellington, New Zealand|date=February 1993|series=THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY PLAN SERIES |volume=NO.4|isbn=0-478-01459-7|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSRP04.pdf |accessdate=2008-09-09] The Upper Waitaki Power Development posed a threat to the black stilt habitat and a programme was set up to lessen the threats. [cite book|last=Ministry for the Environment|title=Flow Guidelines for Instream Values|publisher=Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand)|location=Wellington, New Zealand|date=May 1998|series=ME271 Volume B|url=http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/water/flow-guidelines-for-instream-values-may98.html|accessdate=2008-09-09]

ee also

*Renewable energy in New Zealand
*List of power stations in New Zealand

References

Further reading

*cite book|last=Martin|first=John E. |title= People, politics and power stations : electric power generation in New Zealand, 1880-1990|date=1991|isbn=0908912161

External links

* [http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____42.aspx Ministry of Economic Development] - Electricity page