Benefits

Reliable and secure electricity supplies will enable Solid Energy and other businesses to invest with confidence on the West Coast and create long-term employment.

Other potential benefits to the West Coast are expected to include a more efficient electricity distribution system (fewer transmission losses) and enhanced security of supply.

In the immediate area, the scheme would further improve the water quality in the Ngakawau River beyond Solid Energy’s current water management programme by capturing and treating both “orphan” acid mine drainage sites and high flows of mine-affected water that are beyond the capacity of the current programme.  With longer reservoir retention times and greater flow capture, it would also remove more sediment.  The proposal would reduce the likelihood of flooding at Hector (most recently flooded in 2006 and 2007) by attenuating extreme flood flows by up to 200 m³/s.