Hydro stations

The Waitaki hydro scheme is a series of interconnected lakes and canals. It accounts for 16% of New Zealand’s electricity supply and more than 56% of the average hydro-electricity storage. This storage will become increasingly important for ensuring there’s enough power when it’s required as more wind and solar are introduced into the electricity system, as these rely on wind or sun being available to generate electricity.

The Waitaki hydro scheme consists of eight power stations. Meridian owns and operates six of them: Aviemore, Benmore, Waitaki and Ōhau A, B and C. The other two (Tekapo A and B) are owned and operated by Genesis Energy.

Waitaki Hydro Scheme

A dam holds water in a big lake. When we need electricity, we let the water flow down through a special pipe (a penstock) to a turbine. These look like large wheels with wide spokes. The force of the water makes the turbine spin, and its rotation drives a generator that turns that spinning motion into electricity.

Most of Meridian’s electricity is made from the energy of falling water. Our hydro stations generate enough electricity to power around 1.4 million homes.

It’s not possible to store large amounts of electricity, but it is possible to store water in dams.

Resource consent compliance

Our hydro power schemes operate under strict resource consent conditions. You can read the independent compliance reports below.

Waitaki Hydrometric Compliance Report 

Manapōuri Hydrometric Compliance Report

Dry river bed safety

At times Meridian must release water from our stations as part of our resource consent agreements. We update the signage nearby to let people know when we’re going to do this and also publish announcements on our Facebook page.

If you’re camping or fishing in a dry river bed, you must follow all instructions. If you see water appear, the most important thing to do is get out of the water and stay out.

If you want more information on planned flow releases, head to the Environment Canterbury river flow data website.

We’re privileged to be a kaitiaki of the local waters we use to generate electricity. It’s important to us that we take care of them, as well as the species that live in them.

We’re constantly monitoring the impacts of our hydro stations and water management, and working with iwi and the wider communities on initiatives to lessen these impacts. Generally, the impacts relate to the effects on water-based species of inundation, dry river beds and habitat loss.

From time to time we need to remove generation assets from service to enable their proper management, maintenance and upgrades in accordance with prudent asset-management practice.

Meridian’s regular maintenance outages schedule 

As at 05 September 2024

Our Power Up community fund supports local projects in the areas where we operate. It’s one of the ways in which we recognise the importance of local communities to our operations.

If you’re near a Meridian power station and have a project you’d like help with, apply now!

Power Up community fund