Executive Summary
The thrust of this report is to identify those hydro electricity opportunities where there is a possibility that they may be considered for development within the next 20 years. Some are actively being investigated, appraised, considered or in the consent process, while the bulk of opportunities are not being actively investigated, or are considered unachievable under current investment criteria. While the authors have included a large number of those not being currently actively investigated, opportunities they consider could be investigated at some stage in the future have been included. Opportunities they consider unachievable have not been included.
The report provides information on the hydro potential in each region. Specific publicly known opportunities with a high/medium level of confidence of their proceeding are indicated for major catchments. Commentary is included on other catchments within each region where the authors consider there are opportunities that should not be lost sight of.
The opportunities covered by the report range from the large mainstem river options with potential outputs of over 100MW (mostly in the South Island), to the very small 5MW (or below) possibilities.
The report indicates that the publicly known hydro potential for New Zealand is around 2,500MW and 12,000GWhp.a. In addition there are possibly a significant number of other opportunities that are not publicly identified. These are noted in the report where appropriate.
Table 1: High and Medium Confidence Hydropower Opportunities by Catchment.| Catchment Number & Name | MW | GWh p.a. | Number of Projects | % of GWh p.a. |
| #3 Waitaki | 590 | 3200 | 4 | 27.4% |
| #1 Clutha | 410 | 1950 | 5 | 16.7% |
| #14 Grey | 350 | 1550 | 7 | 13.2% |
| #23 Waiau (Canterbury) | 235 | 1030 | 4 | 8.8% |
| #21 Ngaruroro | 135 | 585 | 5 | 5.0% |
| #5 Whanganui | 110 | 475 | 5 | 4.1% |
| #18 Wairau | 105 | 525 | 2 | 4.5% |
| #31 Hurunui | 80 | 350 | 2 | 3.0% |
| #34 Mohaka | 75 | 330 | 1 | 2.8% |
| #4 Waiau (Southland) | 65 | 350 | 1 | 3.0% |
| #9 Taieri | 40 | 175 | 4 | 1.5% |
| #29 Rangitaiki | 40 | 195 | 2 | 1.6% |
| #53 Waiapu | 35 | 165 | 3 | 1.4% |
| #339 Raukokore | 35 | 145 | 2 | 1.2% |
| #2 Waikato | 25 | 115 | 4 | 1.0% |
| #86 Patea | 20 | 80 | 1 | 0.7% |
| #126 Waimea | 15 | 70 | 1 | 0.6% |
| #22 Ruamahanga | 15 | 55 | 2 | 0.5% |
| #54 Awatere | 10 | 50 | 1 | 0.4% |
| #16 Wairoa (Hawkes Bay) | 10 | 45 | 1 | 0.4% |
| #7 Manawatu | 10 | 40 | 1 | 0.4% |
| #15 Rangitikei | 9 | 40 | 1 | 0.4% |
| #33 Tukituki | 9 | 40 | 1 | 0.3% |
| #48 Whakatane | 9 | 40 | 1 | 0.3% |
| #106 Pelorus | 7 | 30 | 1 | 0.3% |
| #51 Ashburton | 7 | 30 | 1 | 0.3% |
| #116 Tarawera | 6 | 25 | 1 | 0.2% |
| #19 Wairoa (Northland) | 3 | 15 | 1 | 0.1% |
| Grand Total | 2460 | 11700 | 65 | 100% |
The information in this report will provide a basis for consideration of the interests and values associated with the use of those particular stretches of water.
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