Water Storage

Water Storage

Manawa Energy supports rural businesses in Canterbury by providing water storage and pumping services to water users, utilising our existing generation infrastructure at Coleridge and Highbank power stations. 

During periods when natural river flows are lower, we time our generation operations with the need for water to be released into the Rakaia River. Water stored in Lake Coleridge is released into the Rakaia through our Coleridge Power Station, generating electricity on its journey from the lake, to the river. From there, it flows down the Rakaia where it can be utilised by customers in the vicinity of the river. We also utilise our Highbank pumping facility to transfer water via our Highbank Power Station infrastructure, to the Rangitata Diversion Race, which supplies water to customers. 

This model ensures that in addition to utilising the power of water to generate renewable electricity, we are also facilitating efficient use of, and reliable access to, water that supports agriculture, cropping and seed production in the Canterbury region. 

Manawa Energy continues to explore more opportunities where our existing hydro-electric generation schemes can provide storage for businesses and communities in other parts of the country, especially where it can also provide benefit to New Zealand’s hydro-generation capacity.