Whakamaru is a 124MW hydro power project. It is located on Waikato river/basin in Waikato, New Zealand. The project is currently active. It has been developed in multiple phases. The project construction commenced in 1949 and subsequently entered into commercial operation in 1956.

Project Type Total Capacity (MW) Active Capacity (MW) Pipeline Capacity (MW) Project Status Project Location Project Developer
Hydropower 124 124 – Active Waikato, New Zealand Mercury NZ

Description

The project is developed and owned by Mercury NZ.

The net head of the project is 36.5m. The total number of penstocks, pipes or long channels that carry water down from the hydroelectric reservoir to the turbines inside the actual power station, are 4 in number.

Development Status

The project construction commenced in 1949 and subsequently entered into commercial operation in 1956.

Contractors Involved

Andritz Hydro was selected as the turbine supplier for the hydro power project. The project consists of 4 units of Francis turbines, each with 31.8MW nameplate capacity.

GE Renewable Energy was selected as the generator supplier for the hydro power project. The project consists of 4 generators.

About Mercury NZ

Mercury NZ Ltd (Mercury), formerly Mighty River Power Ltd, is an integrated power company which generates, retails, and trades electricity. It produces power from hydro and geothermal sources. The company operates various power projects in South and North Islands. Mercury retails energy to homes, businesses and industrial customers across the country under GLOBUG and Bosco brands. It also provides advanced metering infrastructure and data services. In consonance with its shift to renewable sources, the company converted the majority of its vehicle fleet to electric or plug-in hybrid. The company has operational presence in Chile, Germany, Peru, the UK and Ireland. Mercury is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand.

Methodology

All power projects included in this report are drawn from GlobalData’s Power Intelligence Center. The information regarding the project parameters is sourced through secondary information sources such as electric utilities, equipment manufacturers, developers, project proponent’s – news, deals and financial reporting, regulatory body, associations, government planning reports and publications. Wherever needed the information is further validated through primary from various stakeholders across the power value chain and professionals from leading players within the power sector.