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Second power generation unit nears completion at Karāpiro hydro station 12 JULY 2024 – Mercury has reached a major milestone in its three-year, $90m upgrade of the Karāpiro Hydro Power Station on the Waikato River. The company is about to commission the second of three new power generation units, with work on the third and final unit expected to begin in October. The generation units house components, such as hydro turbines, which make electricity from the water’s force. Mercury Executive GM Generation, Stew Hamilton, said bringing the second power generation unit online is a significant step towards completing the major upgrade. “When upgraded, the Karāpiro hydro station will provide an additional 5MW per generation unit. This will increase its capacity from 96MW to 112.4MW (32GWh/year), enough to power 19,000 homes with renewable energy.” He said Mercury is working with its specialist project partner ANDRITZ Hydropower to ensure the generation units are installed efficiently and seamlessly. “Maintenance and enhancement of our hydro stations is important as we work towards helping the country move towards greater use of renewable energy.” Heavy machinery will be used to install a new 40-tonne water intake gate at the top of Karāpiro dam, on Monday, 15 July. The gate is an important safety element to protect the new generator. It is the second of three gates that are being replaced because they have reached the end of their life after more than 75 years of operation. All three gates are being constructed and installed by Ashhurst Engineering and Construction. Each gate took six people about a year to fabricate. The gates are 8m wide, 6m high and 0.75m deep. A special trailer will transport the new gate to the dam and fit it into place. After installation, the gate will undergo testing before coming online in late August. Full installation and commissioning of all units is expected by August 2025. It is the first time the power station’s generation units have been replaced since the station was commissioned in 1948. The upgrade will enable Karāpiro to continue to generate renewable energy for the next 50 years.
The Mercury Building, 33 Broadway, Newmarket 1023 PO Box 90399, Auckland 1142