Fed from Lake Kaniere via some 9 km of races, and discharging into the Kaniere River, the twin generator Kaniere Forks Power Station was commissioned in 1909 with 60Hz of output.

At the expense of some output capacity, it was converted to 50Hz in 1931 to allow synchronisation with the nearby McKays Creek Station. With a rated capacity of 430 kW, the station has an average annual output of 3.75 GWh.

The McKays Creek Scheme is supplied via a weir and race from the Kaniere River. Commissioned in 1931 to supply local gold mining operations, it has a head of 33-metres, with a rated capacity of 1.1 MW and an average annual output of 8 GWH.                                                                              

Kaniere Forks Centenary - September 2009

The Kaniere Forks Power Station turned 100 in September 2009. To celebrate this milestone TrustPower produced a brochure which tells the story of this historic power scheme. You can download a copy of this brochure below.

The Department of Conservation, with assistance from TrustPower, also developed a brochure about the Kaniere Water Race Walkway as part of the centenary celebrations for the Kaniere Forks Power Scheme. This brochure provides an overview of the track as well as information about the natural and historic features of the walkway. The brochure is available from the Department of Conservation website.
 

The scheme provides an historic walkway, which is shared with the public and the Department of Conservation.

Existing Resource Consents for the Kaniere Forks/McKays Creek scheme begin to expire on 26 May 2011. The scheme is sited predominantly on Department of Conservation estate. A licence agreement entered into with the Department has strengthened the working relationship between TrustPower and the Department, for the ultimate benefit of the environment.

For any queries regarding this information, please contact Ryan Piddington on ryan.piddington@trustpower.co.nz