New Zealand Water Power

IKE many other countries, New Zealand has experienced a spectacular increase in the consumption of electricity, especially in the last 20 L years. Unfortunately, and in contrast with many other countries, the coal deposits are meager, and about 95 per cent of the electricity is generated from water.' Since the end of the Second World War, as a result of exceptionally high peak loading, greater use of electricity, and periodic shortages of water associated with drought,2 restrictions on consumption have had to be imposed from time to time. In an attempt to solve these pressing problems the government, which virtually controls electricity generation in New Zealand, has within the limitations of its resources pushed ahead with dam and powerhouse construction, lake control, and extensions to the transmission system. At the same time the independent authorities supplying electricity to consumers have been extending their distribution systems

Geography · Power (physics · Present day · Environmental Science · Water-Energy-Food Nexus Studies