Ōhau B
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ōhau B is a hydroelectric power station in the Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, New Zealand. Operated by Meridian Energy, it is one of the three Ōhau stations in the Upper Waitaki hydro scheme.[1] It is a twin station to Ōhau C, and water from Lake Ruataniwha passes through Ōhau B before entering the Ōhau C canal on its way to Ōhau C and Lake Benmore.[1][2]
| Ōhau B | |
|---|---|
| |
 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Canterbury |
| Coordinates | 44°17′58″S 170°6′44″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 1984 |
| Owner | Meridian Energy |
| Operator | |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Hydroelectric |
| Power generation | |
| Units operational | 4 |
| Nameplate capacity | 212 MW (284,000 hp) |
| External links | |
| Commons | Related media on Commons |
History and construction
Ōhau B was built as part of the Upper Waitaki hydro scheme, which began in 1968.[3] Construction of the station began in 1977 and it became fully operational in 1984.[1][4]
Lake Ruataniwha, from which Ōhau B draws its water, was created during the Upper Waitaki works by damming the Ōhau River.[5][4]
Description
Ōhau B has four 53-megawatt generating units with a total installed capacity of 212 MW.[1] It was designed as a twin station to Ōhau C, with the two stations having similar equipment and the same generating capacity.[1] The 2025 WSP hydro-schemes report states that each of the two twin stations produces approximately 958 GWh of electricity annually.[4]
