Rejuvenating ageing hydro generation will cost millions

The Maraetai hydro scheme on the Waikato River. (Image: Mercury)

Mon, 20 Mar 2023

The age of New Zealand’s hydro generation fleet and the cost of keeping it running and improving performance has been highlighted in Mercury’s recent investment day.The major generator/retailer outlined its plans for the future, which include reinvestment in existing assets. These include its hydro stations, which dominate the Taupō catchment and the Waikato River.In all, it has nine dam structures on the Waikato hydro system aged 60 to 97 years.About $350 million will be spent on hydro rejuvenation over the next 15 years, which Mer...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket has 'soft day', down 0.5%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed down 0.53% or 71.407 points to 13,306.44.

Tom Raynel 22 Oct 2025

Primary Sector

Bioenergy policy points to obstacles to reach scale

Wood energy could replace around 40% of fossil-fuelled process heat by 2050.

Ian Llewellyn 22 Oct 2025

Bioenergy policy points to obstacles to reach scale

Property

Fletcher Building puts ‘noise’ in the past

New directors say shareholders are right to expect more, and they intend to deliver.

Rebecca Stevenson 22 Oct 2025

Fletcher Building puts ‘noise’ in the past

Sponsored

NZ risks losing edge as Australia takes lead in cleaner jet fuel

Experts warn SAF delay could cost jobs and growth.

Z Energy

Sponsored

Focus on safety of SME vehicle fleets

Vehicle glass repairer’s work enhances road safety.

Smith & Smith

More Energy

News in Brief

Kominik resigns from Electricity Authority, will start review

Electricity Authority chair Anna Kominik has announced her resignation but will stay in the job until her successor is found.Energy Minister Simon Watts said Kominik will also start a board-led organisational review of the authority.The announcement follows the Government's r...

Ian Llewellyn 22 Oct 2025