Ōhau B is a hydroelectric power station in the Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, New Zealand. Operated by Meridian Energy, it is one of the three Ōhau stations in the Upper Waitaki hydro scheme. It is a twin station to Ōhau C, and water from Lake Ruataniwha passes through Ōhau B before entering the Ōhau C canal on its way to Ōhau C and Lake Benmore.
History and construction
Ōhau B was built as part of the Upper Waitaki hydro scheme, which began in 1968. Construction of the station began in 1977 and it became fully operational in 1984.
Lake Ruataniwha, from which Ōhau B draws its water, was created during the Upper Waitaki works by damming the Ōhau River.
Description
Ōhau B has four 53-megawatt generating units with a total installed capacity of 212 MW. It was designed as a twin station to Ōhau C, with the two stations having similar equipment and the same generating capacity. The 2025 WSP hydro-schemes report states that each of the two twin stations produces approximately 958 GWh of electricity annually.
Martin, John E, ed. (1991). People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 - 1990. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. pp.316 pages. ISBN0-908912-16-1.
Sheridan, Marion (1995). Dam Dwellers – End of an Era. Twizel: Sheridan Press. pp.392 pages. ISBN0-473-03402-6.
