Ōhau C
Hydropower plant on New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ōhau C 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 B, and receives water that has already passed through Ōhau B from Lake Ruataniwha, before discharging into Lake Benmore.[1][2]
| Ōhau C | |
|---|---|
| |
 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Canterbury |
| Coordinates | 44°20′31″S 170°10′56″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 1985 |
| 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
Construction of Ōhau C began in 1979 and the station became fully operational in 1985.[1][3] It was the last hydro station built on the Waitaki scheme, completing the scheme 56 years after construction began on the Waitaki dam and power station in 1928.[1][4]
The Upper Waitaki hydro scheme comprises the three Ōhau stations, the two Tekapo stations, two dams and six canals. Its development also created Lake Ruataniwha, the newest lake in the Waitaki Basin.[1][3]
