Okere Falls Power Station

Okere Falls Power Station came into production in May 1901, bringing electricity to Rotorua. At the time, Rotorua was only the fourth town in New Zealand to have electricity.[1] The power station was the first power station built by the New Zealand government, and it remained in operation until 1936.[2][3]

Okere Falls Power Station
Kayaker at Okere Falls, with the remains of the powerhouse visible in the lower right
Location of Okere Falls Power Station in New Zealand
CountryNew Zealand
Coordinates38°0.86′S 176°20.73′E
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsKaituna River
Commission date1901
Decommission date1939
Installed capacity200kW
Power station at Okere Falls ca 1908

History

With Rotorua's expanding tourism industry in the 19th century, demand grew for having electrical lighting. In 1897, land was secured at Okere Falls for a powerhouse, followed by a tender in 1899 to build a hydro-electric power plant.[1]

Rotorua's demand for electricity grew rapidly and by 1907 could not be met by the existing turbine anymore. In 1908, a new wing dam out from the head gates into the river was completed, bringing in enough water to run a second 100 kilowatts (130 hp) turbine, doubling the station's output to 200 kilowatts (270 hp).[1] Each of the 'Waverley' horizontal turbines was connected by leather belts to two 50 kilowatts (67 hp) generators[4]

Today, a viewing platform overlooking the Okere Falls waterfall also takes in the remains of the original dynamo house. In 1995, one of the old 100 kW turbines was retrieved from the riverbank through the same cutting that was originally used to lower it to the dynamo house.[5] It is now on display at the start of the Okere Falls track.

Notes
  1. Information contained on "Power for People" information panel at the viewing platform over Okere Falls.
  2. Martin, John E. (1998). People, politics and power stations : electric power generation in New Zealand, 1880-1998.
  3. Thomas, Rhys (2013). "Okere Falls Power Station". IPENZ.
  4. Information contained on "Hydroelectricity" information panel on path to viewing platform over Okere Falls.
  5. Information contained on "The Turbine" information panel next to turbine
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