WAIPĀPA HYDRO STATION

Waipāpa hydro station is the smallest power station on the Waikato River. 

Waipāpa Hydro Station is one of two stations that utilizes Kaplan turbines. There are two sluice gates and two spillway gates and a single 3 phase 220kV GSU transformer for the station.

Opened: 1961
Number of generating units: 3 Kaplan turbines
Total capacity: 51MW
Average Annual Output: 240GWh

In 2001, the turbines were refurbished to improve operational efficiency.

Lake Waipāpa (the reservoir) is capable of fluctuating to accommodate the water volume required for upstream and downstream generation.

The Waipāpa dam is a gravity earth dam which transfers water via three concrete penstocks to the power station.