The Pātea Dam is a high compacted earth fill–type

hydroelectric dam Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and ...

in Taranaki, New Zealand, constructed between 1980 and 1984. The dam is high, and is the fourth highest in New Zealand. It was the first dam constructed using tertiary

sandstone Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) silicate grains. Sandstones comprise about 20–25% of all sedimentary rocks. Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar (both silicates) ...

and

siltstone Siltstone, also known as aleurolite, is a clastic sedimentary rock that is composed mostly of silt. It is a form of mudrock with a low clay mineral content, which can be distinguished from shale by its lack of fissility.Blatt ''et al.'' 1980, p ...

as fill materials. The dam impounds

Lake Rotorangi Lake Rotorangi is the largest lake in the New Zealand region of Taranaki. The reservoir was created in 1984 by the damming of the Pātea River. History Lake Rotorangi was formed in 1984 as a reservoir for hydroelectric power. The lake was forme ...

, which is the longest man-made lake in New Zealand ().Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
/ref>

Pātea Hydro Electric Scheme

The Pātea Hydro Electric Scheme was commissioned in May 1984 and was built for the South Taranaki District Council. After construction difficulties, wetter than normal conditions had caused a six-month delay. Since 1999 it is owned and operated by

TrustPower Manawa Energy Limited, formerly Trustpower, is a New Zealand electricity generation company that offers bespoke electricity products to commercial and industrial customers across New Zealand. Manawa Energy has 26 hydro-electricity schemes, with a ...

. With three vertical

Francis turbine The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts. Francis turbines are the most common water turbine in use today, and can achieve over 95% efficiency. The proces ...

generator sets and a auxiliary generator, the scheme has a total capacity of (33 MW) and an average annual output of .

References

External links

Trust Power
- Patea power station Dams completed in 1984 Dams in New Zealand Buildings and structures in Taranaki Earth-filled dams South Taranaki District 1980s architecture in New Zealand {{NewZealand-powerstation-stub