Story: Economy and the environment

Lake Coleridge power station under construction (1st of 3)

Lake Coleridge power station under construction

During the 1920s and 1930s the state built hydroelectric power stations, which provided electricity for the growing manufacturing sector – in particular the processing of farm produce. The first of the state’s large hydroelectric schemes was at Lake Coleridge, 100 kilometres from Christchurch in the upper Rakaia valley. It was opened in 1914 to supply Christchurch’s needs. At that stage it produced 4,500 kilowatts; this rose to 34,500 kilowatts in the 1920s.

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How to cite this page:

Eric Pawson, 'Economy and the environment - Erosion, power generation and mining', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/21654/lake-coleridge-power-station-under-construction (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eric Pawson, published 11 Mar 2010