Contents
History
Location
Generation Capacity
Scheme Overview
Scheme Map
History
Hydro-electric power generation in the area began with a small ‘run of river’ scheme, using water from the Waiwhakaiho River in the early 20th century. The first electricity was supplied to New Plymouth in 1906, before an increase in demand and a growing population required investigation into how water could be stored for power generation.
Lake Mangamahoe was the answer, created by building a dam across the Mangamahoe Stream above its confluence with the Waiwhakaiho River. Construction was completed in 1931, with the lake filled by the natural flow of the Mangamahoe Stream, and a water diversion from the Waiwhakaiho through a concrete tunnel into the lake. The lake now also doubles as the drinking water reservoir for New Plymouth, Lepperton, Waitara, Tikorangi, Onaero and Urenui.
The expanded power scheme in its current form began operations after the completion of the Mangamahoe Dam, with Manawa Energy aquiring the scheme from Powerco in 1998.
Scheme Overview
The Mangorei Hydro-electric Power Scheme is fully formed within the Waiwhakaiho River catchment, drawing water from the Waiwhakaiho itself, as well as its tributary, the Mangamahoe Stream.