# Onekaka Power Station > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Onekaka_Power_Station > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Onekaka_Power_Station.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onekaka_Power_Station > Source revision: 1353704457 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Hydro-electric power station in New Zealand Dam in Onekaka Onekaka Hydro Power Station One of the hydrogenerator sets in 2024 Interactive map of Onekaka Hydro Power Station Country New Zealand Location Onekaka Coordinates 40°46′56″S 172°41′15″E / 40.78222°S 172.68750°E / -40.78222; 172.68750 Dam and spillways Type of dam Concrete arch Height 10 m (33 ft) Power Station Operator Onekaka Energy Ltd Commission date November 2003 Hydraulic head 200 m (660 ft) Turbines Two Installed capacity 940 kW Annual generation 3.8 GWh **Onekaka Power Station** is a small [hydro-electric](/source/Hydroelectricity) generating station on the [Onekaka River](/source/Onekaka_River), in [Golden Bay / Mohua](/source/Golden_Bay_%2F_Mohua), New Zealand. The first power station on the river was built in 1928–29 to provide power for the [Onekaka Ironworks](/source/Onekaka_Ironworks). The original scheme included a concrete arch dam 10 m (33 ft) high, a [penstock](/source/Penstock) 1.25 km (0.78 mi) long, and a powerhouse containing a Boving [pelton wheel](/source/Pelton_wheel), rated at 250 kW.[1] After the Onekaka Ironworks closed, the power station remained in operation from 1937 to 1944, generating electricity for the Golden Bay area.[2] The scheme was abandoned in the 1950s. A group of local hydro enthusiasts began work on a rebuild in 1995,[3] and formed a company Onekaka Energy Ltd to manage the re-development and operation of the scheme.[4] Up to 500 litres (110 imp gal; 130 US gal) a second would be diverted from the Onekaka River,[5] and opponents expressed concerns that a reduction in minimum flows in the river would affect the native fish, the [shortjaw kōkopu](/source/Shortjaw_k%C5%8Dkopu).[6] The new scheme uses the historic concrete arch dam, but a new penstock was built on the same alignment as the original. The new penstock extends a further 180 m (200 yd), to a new powerhouse downstream from the original site. New generating equipment for the scheme was obtained from salvage of two 500 kW auxiliary hydro-generator sets that had originally been used at the [Tuai](/source/Tuai) Power Station, a 60 MW station built as part of the [Lake Waikaremoana](/source/Lake_Waikaremoana) scheme in the 1920s. The [hydraulic head](/source/Hydraulic_head) of the station is 200 m (660 ft)[7] and the rated capacity of the new generating plant is 940 kW.[3] It was commissioned in November 2003,[8] and produces 3.5 GWh annually. The output is sold on the [New Zealand electricity market](/source/New_Zealand_electricity_market).[3] The scheme produces 10 to 20 percent of the electricity used in Golden Bay.[9] One unusual feature of this power station is that it is remotely monitored and controlled using text messages via the cellular phone network.[3] - Onekaka Power Station - Onekaka Dam under construction in the late 1920s - Onekaka Dam in 2024 - Penstock section - View of hydro-generators - Generator - Power station building ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Onekaka Hydro-electric Power Scheme"](https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/5120/5120). *New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero*. [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand). Retrieved 11 February 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Onekakā Ironworks"](https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/onekak%C4%81-ironworks/). *[Engineering New Zealand](/source/Engineering_New_Zealand)*. Retrieved 11 February 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:6_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:6_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:6_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:6_3-3) Leyland, Bryan W. (1 September 2009). ["SMALL HYDRO: Practical Development: The Story of 940-kW Onekaka"](https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/small-hydro-practical-development-the-story-of-940-kw-onekaka/). *Renewable Energy World*. Retrieved 11 February 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Sparrow, Brandon (11 October 2002). "New power scheme for bay welcomed". *The Nelson Mail*. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [274484431](https://www.proquest.com/docview/274484431). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** "Hydro consents hearing". *The Nelson Mail*. 27 July 2005. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [274452145](https://www.proquest.com/docview/274452145). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hindmarsh, Gerard (10 September 2022). "A 100-year contribution to education and culture". *The Nelson Mail*. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [2711986268](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2711986268). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** "Powerhouse switches on to feed the national grid". *[The Press](/source/The_Press)*. 3 November 2003. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [314565312](https://www.proquest.com/docview/314565312). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** "Bay hydro powers up". *Nelson Mail*. 3 November 2003. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [274522037](https://www.proquest.com/docview/274522037). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gale, Haley (3 December 2010). "Council refunds fees for hydro scheme". *The Nelson Mail*. ## External links Media related to [Onekaka Power Station](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Onekaka_Power_Station) at Wikimedia Commons Media related to [Onekaka Dam](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Onekaka_Dam) at Wikimedia Commons - [Onekaka Power Station](https://www.sp.co.nz/rural_news/articles/power.html) at Nelson Marlborough Rural News v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Onekaka Power Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onekaka_Power_Station) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onekaka_Power_Station?action=history)). 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