Submitted by admin on April 22, 2009 - 22:12
Other Constructions
The inter-island connection by submarine cable, the conversion equipment, 500,000-V direct-current transmission line, and Benmore station have drawn public attention away from other recent projects. In the North Island, Aratiatia, the eighth and final station to be developed on the Waikato River below Lake Taupo, commenced operation in March 1964 and this 90,000-kW station was completed in May 1964. Construction is going ahead on the 70,000-kW station scheduled for 1967 at Matahina on the Rangitaiki River; and the geothermal scheme at Wairakei has been further developed. The Government has approved the development of the Tongariro and upper Waikato Rivers involving a new 180,000-kW station at Tokaanu, which, together with the increased availability of water in the Waikato, would produce some 1,500 million units per year. Construction has commenced on an oil-burning thermal station near Whangarei. In the South Island a further 220,000-kW station is projected for operation in 1968 at Aviemore, down stream from Benmore, on the Waitaki River.