Environment

Meridian Energy generates electricity using only renewable resources. We know what an important part our environment plays in our generation activities and we make sure that we operate to the highest environmental standards.

We undertake environmental initiatives as part of our stakeholder agreements for our resource consents, some of which are outlined on the following pages:

Project River Recovery

Elver trap and transfer

Fishing

Maori rock art

Deep Cove effects monitoring

Flow management

New Zealand Water management Reform (2248 KB).pdf
 

Flow management

In addition to operational requirements, Meridian undertakes best endeavours to ensure flow management in a number of circumstances.  These include:

• Recreational releases for the Waitaki and Manapouri hydro schemes
• Minimum flows in the lower Waiau river and the lower Waitaki river
• Flow management to assist the spawning activities of trout and salmon in the upper Waiau river and the lower Waitaki river.

Meridian Energy also gets involved in other environmental initiatives through the following annual sponsorships or donations.

Department of Conservation - Summer Holiday Programme

Meridian sponsors the environmental education programme that is run by the Department of Conservation and held in the Mackenzie annually over the Christmas/New Year period.

Department of Conservation - Braided River Field Guide

Meridian funds the braided River Field Guide designed and distributed by the Department of Conservation in Canterbury.  This guide compliments Project River Recovery and provides information on the various plant and animal life linked to braided rivers.

Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust

The Trust runs an educational programme at the Deep Cove Hostel in Fiordland National Park.  Around 30 schools in the Southland region are enrolled in this programme, which strives to educate young people in this unique outdoor environment.