Lake Waikaremoana. Photo: Robert Harding
Genesis Energy is set to being the final stage of a $95 million upgrade of three historic hydro power stations near Lake Waikaremoana, which began 10 years ago.
The upgrade to its Kaitawa power station would complete the overhaul of Genesis' three-station Waikaremoana Power Scheme located deep in the East Coast bush.
Genesis general manager of engineering and projects Jane Bydder said the scheme's refurbishment was an example of the company's commitment to increase the amount of sustainable generation available to the national grid.
Water from Lake Waikaremoana was recycled three times through historic Kaitawa, Tuai and Piripaua power stations before being released into the Waikaretaheke River, inland from Wairoa.
The scheme's generators were among the oldest in New Zealand, having been commissioned between 1929 and 1948.
"New Zealand is going to need more renewable electricity as the country progresses toward net zero 2050," Bydder said.
"In addition to building new renewable generation in the form of solar farms, Genesis is also extending the life of our existing hydro stations, making them even more productive and efficient in the process."
The replacement of both generators at the 36 MW Kaitawa Power Station was expected to cost $60m, with the first generator to be replaced in 2026 and the second generator the following year, increasing Kaitawa's potential to power an additional 350 homes on completion.
Upgrades to the 60 MW Tuai station's three generators were completed this year and the 42 MW Piripaua station had its two generators overhauled in 2022.
The overall increased efficiency would be able generate electricity from the same amount of water or enough to power an extra 1,782 homes.
Genesis partnered with engineering firm ANDRITZ to undertake the work at Kaitawa, who supplied the original turbines in 1948.
"The investment we've made in upgrading the entire Waikaremoana Power Scheme will future-proof the stations as demand for reliable, renewable electricity increases over coming decades," Bydder said.