Pupu Hydro Power Scheme | |
---|---|
Country | New Zealand |
Location | near Tākaka |
Coordinates | 40°51′19″S 172°44′14″E / 40.85528°S 172.73722°E |
Status | Operational |
Opening date | 11 October 1929[1] |
Owner(s) | Pupu Hydro Society Inc |
Power Station | |
Operator(s) | Pupu Hydro Society Inc |
Type | Run-of-the-river |
Turbines | Boving twin-jet pelton wheel |
Installed capacity | 250 kW (340 hp)[2] |
Annual generation | 1.8 GWh (6.5 TJ) |
The Pupu Hydro Power Scheme is a small hydroelectric power station near Tākaka in the Golden Bay region of the South Island of New Zealand. It opened in 1929 as the first power station in the region and was the first public electricity supply in Golden Bay.[1] After closing in 1980 following damage to the generator, the power scheme was fully restored by the local Pupu Hydro Society and many volunteer groups over the course of seven years and re-opened in 1988, again supplying electricity to the national grid.[2]
The scenic Pupu Hydro Walkway follows the historic gold mining water-race between the penstock and the weir at Campbell Creek, before returning along the opposite side of the valley.[3] The track was opened in 2003[1] and also leads past the power house, where a window provides a view into the turbine room.