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Waitaha Run Of River Hydro Scheme

Waitaha Hydro Scheme

Building a Resilient Future for the West Coast and New Zealand.

The Waitaha River is the treasured taonga of Poutini Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae) and is located in South Westland on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Westpower and Poutini Ngāi Tahu are close partners in developing the proposal for the Waitaha Hydro Scheme. This page contains all the information you need to know about the Waitaha scheme.

Waitaha at a Glance

What is the Waitaha Run of River Hydro Scheme?

Westpower's Environmental Responsibility

Economic and Community Benefits

Partnership with Poutini Ngāi Tahu

What Makes This Project Different?

Government Support and Fast-Track Approval

Consultation and Community Engagement

Waitaha News

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can I Learn More?

Waitaha at a glance

Key facts about the Waitaha Run of River Hydro Scheme

A quick summary of how the scheme is designed, what it can generate, and how it supports local resilience.

Key Features

Two Francis hydro turbines. Two tunnels: 1.5km long for access and water. Intake and weir elevation: 238m asl.

Power During Outages

With 10 hydro schemes on the West Coast, Amethyst, Wahapo and Fox can operate independently during outages. Alongside Waitaha, this is enough to power South Westland, Hokitika and Greymouth.

Current Demand

Peak demand on the network is 44 MW. Up to 28 MW is currently generated on the Coast by small hydro schemes, including Amethyst at 7.6 MW.

Emissions Savings

Annual generation of 130 GWh could reduce emissions by around 130,000 tonnes of CO2 compared with thermal generation.

Recreation

We look forward to working with kayakers on no-take days, and providing safe gorge access, track diversion, webcams, and real-time flow info.

Water Level

Flood flows of up to 1,200 cumecs can be experienced at the top of Kiwi Flat. Lower-level floods can occur several times a month. Maximum water take is 23 cumecs.

Cost of Scheme

Approximate cost of $200 million.

Wildlife

Extensive studies show minimal impact on birds, fish, bats, and invertebrates. The project will support local wildlife, especially the blue duck/whio.

Power Bills

Generating electricity close to end use reduces transmission losses, with any Westpower profits reinvested back into the community.

Output

120-140 GWh per year, with peak output of 23 MW. About 50% of the West Coast's current annual energy needs.

Run-of-River

Tiny footprint: weir and intake, tunnel, and powerhouse. No dam required.

What is the Waitaha Run of River Hydro Scheme?

The Waitaha Hydro Scheme is a community owned run-of-river hydro-electric power project on the Waitaha River, West Coast, South Island.

It will generate 120- 140 GWh (Gigawatt hours) per year, enough electricity to power approximately 12,000 homes, significantly enhancing reliability of electricity supply on the Coast.

The Scheme involves a low-profile weir and intake at the top of Morgan Gorge, a pressurised water tunnel, and a 23 MW power station below the gorge.

Overview of the Waitaha Run of River Hydro Scheme Location

Explore the key elements of the proposed Waitaha Run of River Hydro Scheme and how these components seamlessly fit together to create a sustainable and efficient energy solution.

Why the Waitaha Hydro Scheme is Important to New Zealand

Hear from our CEO for an overview of how the Waitaha Hydro Scheme will operate and support New Zealand's growing electricity demands sustainably.

The importance of ecology and minimising environmental impact

Rodger Griffiths discusses the critical role of ecology and the measures being taken to ensure the natural values of the Waitaha Valley are protected.

Westpower's Environmental Responsibility

Environmental stewardship is central to the Waitaha Hydro Scheme.

The project is situated within Department of Conservation (DOC) stewardship land and requires concessions (approvals) for its development. In line with our commitment to environmental sustainability, Westpower has commissioned ecological studies including aquatic ecology, native species conservation, and vegetation assessments, to help minimise environmental impacts through careful design and planning.

“Run-of-river” means that some of the water goes into the Scheme to create electricity before returning to the river. There is no in-stream or off-stream water storage. The amount of water used by the Scheme is limited to preserve the ecosystems in the river.

Partnership with Poutini Ngāi Tahu

The Waitaha Hydro Scheme is a collaborative effort between Westpower and Poutini Ngāi Tahu, mana whenua of the West Coast.

Poutini Ngāi Tahu is the collective entity comprising Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, both hapū of Ngāi Tahu.

Together, we will work to ensure that the Waitaha River remains a taonga (treasure) for future generations. Our partnership ensures the project reflects both environmental sustainability and cultural values, with both Westpower and Poutini Ngāi Tahu committed to long-term solutions for the community.

Economic and Community Benefits

The Waitaha Hydro Scheme will provide several benefits for the West Coast and Aotearoa New Zealand:

  • Energy Security and Self-Sufficiency:

    The Scheme will enhance reliability of electricity supply and resilience on the West Coast while reducing reliance on imported electricity as demand grows.

    Once operational, the Scheme will:

    • Generate 120-140 GWh of renewable electricity per year (enough to power ~12,000 NZ homes, or about half of the Coast's electricity needs)
    • Support regional and national electricity demand growth and increase the resilience of the Westpower network, especially during National Grid interruptions.
    • Reduce emissions, supporting NZ's climate change targets and decarbonisation goals.
    • Lower transmission losses and improve resource use efficiency.

  • Job Creation and Economic Growth:

    The project will boost the local economy by creating construction jobs, improving energy security and supporting the increased demand for electricity.

    The $200 million project will inject $110-138 million across the West Coast during the 3.5-year construction phase creating an average of 71 full-time and $8.7 million in annual wages. Ongoing operation will provide further employment through local contractors and maintenance.

  • Sustainable Energy Source:

    Waitaha Hydro will displace thermal generation (coal and gas) because the electricity will be generated using renewable means and doesn't attract carbon costs via the Emissions Trading Scheme. It will offset 129,000 tonnes of CO₂e every year — equivalent to removing about 69,000 cars from the road!

What Makes This Project Different

Unlike traditional hydroelectric projects that require large dams, the Waitaha Hydro Scheme design uses a low-impact weir (not a dam) to divert water through a tunnel to a powerhouse, then returns the water to the river. This minimises the environmental impact.

Government Support and Fast-Track Approval

We’re pleased to confirm that, following the Government’s announcement on Friday 18 April 2026, the Expert Panel appointed to consider the Waitaha Hydro Scheme under the Fast-track Approvals Act has decided to grant all of the approvals needed to construct the scheme.

This represents a significant milestone for the project and reflects strong confidence in its value and importance.

With fast-track approvals now in place, the project will now progress to geotechnical investigation, detailed design, costing and business case development to make sure that everything stacks up prior to making a final investment decision.

You can view our current application here .

Government Support and Fast-Track Approval

Consultation and Community Engagement

Westpower acknowledges the cultural, environmental, and recreational values of the Waitaha River.

The project area has undergone years of scientific assessment, consultation and engagement to ensure these are respected and adverse effects are minimised through advances in the design of the Scheme. We've listened closely to feedback from conservation groups, and the wider community.

Waitaha News

News and announcements regarding the Waitaha Hydro Scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage you to stay informed and continue to engage with us throughout the project. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us.