Ōhau C hydro station
Ōhau C is a hydro station located in the Mackenzie Basin. It is a twin station to Ōhau B.
Both stations have four 53-megawatt generating units and a generation output of up to 212 megawatts.
Water from Lake Ruataniwha flows through Ōhau B, then goes into the Ōhau C canal, which takes it to the Ōhau C power station and out into Lake Benmore.
Building Ōhau C
Ōhau C was the last hydro station to be built on the Waitaki hydro scheme, completing the scheme 56 years after construction began on the Waitaki dam and power station in 1928.
The Upper Waitaki hydro scheme comprises five hydro stations, along with two dams and six canals totalling 56 kilometres in length. About 50 million cubic metres of material was excavated for the canals and other earthworks.
Key dates
- 1979 – Construction begins
- 1985 – Ōhau C fully operational
Meridian Power Up community fund
Our Power Up community fund supports local projects in the areas where we have generation assets. It’s one of the ways in which we recognise the importance of local communities to our operations.
If you’re based near a Meridian hydro station and have a project you’d like help with, apply now!
Tackling Zero
Tackling Zero is Meridian’s quarterly newsletter for people whose roles or studies are focused on sustainability, or for whom this is an area of interest. Each issue will offer Meridian’s insights into a topical sustainability issue, as well as stories on how we, our customers and supply chain partners are tackling sustainability. It also includes links to recent Meridian disclosures such as new policies and reports.