Local news New Zealand

20/04/2026: ANDRITZ receives major upgrade order for three hydropower plants in New Zealand 

Mercury NZ Limited has selected international technology group ANDRITZ to supply 9 new turbines and 13 new generators for a major upgrade of the Maraetai I, Ātiamuri, and Ōhakuri Hydro Stations in New Zealand. The refurbishment project will support a reliable electricity supply and significantly increase the plants’ power generation capacity, strengthening New Zealand’s renewable energy system. 

The order has a value in the lower three-digit million-euro range and will be included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. 

Mercury’s generation assets produce electricity from 100% renewable sources, equating to nearly 20% of New Zealand’s annual electricity. New Zealand already generates around 85% to 90% of its electricity from renewable sources and is on track to reach 98%+ renewable electricity by 2030. 

Maraetai I, Ātiamuri, and Ōhakuri are an important part of Mercury’s Waikato Hydro System, which delivers about 10% of New Zealand’s electricity. Built in the 1950s and 60s, the three plants will undergo comprehensive modernization. ANDRITZ will supply new turbines, generators, governors, and related electromechanical equipment for the generating units of the plants. This will increase their combined installed capacity by 76 MW from the current 376 MW, adding 87 GWh of generation each year, and ensure long-term operational reliability. 

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton says: “Our hydro stations on the Waikato River were constructed from the late 1920s to the 1970s and have worked hard to keep the country powered. We have invested heavily in a long-term refurbishment program to improve the efficiency and longevity of our hydro stations, to ensure these assets can manage water flow in a way that preserves the environment while optimizing power generation. These ongoing improvements will make a significant contribution to a sustainable energy future for New Zealand. We are pleased to embark on the next step in our refurbishment program with our trusted partners at ANDRITZ.” 

ANDRITZ will be responsible for the design, manufacture, installation, testing, and commissioning of the units along with associated auxiliaries. Manufacturing will take place at ANDRITZ’s state-of-the-art facilities in Austria. 

This is the fourth major contract awarded to ANDRITZ by Mercury after the successful rehabilitation of the Karāpiro, Aratiatia, and Whakamaru Hydro Stations. The order further strengthens ANDRITZ’s position in New Zealand’s hydropower sector and underlines the company’s strong track record in delivering hydropower solutions that support a stable and growing renewable energy supply. 

Mercury’s generation assets produce around 8,000 GWh of renewable electricity per year from 100% renewable sources: hydro, geothermal, and wind. 

-------

08/01/2025: Progress at Matahina Power Station 

Mid-2024, we proudly completed the commissioning and performance testing of Unit 1 at Matahina Power Station, owned by our valued customer, Manawa Energy. The station, located on the Rangitāiki River in New Zealand’s North Island, boasts two Francis turbines originally installed in 1967. This milestone marked the first major overhaul since installation, including the installation of a new turbine headcover, bottom ring, guide vanes, runner, and other key components. 

Now, our work continues with Unit 2! In this timelapse video, we showcase the rotor lifting for Unit 2 end of November, a critical step in disassembling the machine to install the new turbine runner and guide vanes. 

A big shoutout to our incredible team and Manawa Energy for the collaboration and effort driving these upgrades forward. Together, we’re ensuring the Matahina Power Station remains a reliable source of renewable energy for years to come.

-------

17/12/2024: Kaitawa’s extensive overhaul: A leap towards a greener tomorrow in New Zealand

The signing of a contract for the comprehensive modernization of the Kaitawa Power Station, the uppermost development in the Waikaremoana Hydro Scheme in New Zealand, marks a significant milestone.  The contract was awarded to ANDRITZ by Genesis Energy, one of New Zealand's largest energy generators and retailers (“gentailers”), supplying electricity, natural gas and LPG to more than 496,000 customers across New Zealand, and will secure the station's future as a key contributor to New Zealand’s renewable energy portfolio.

Commissioned in 1948, Kaitawa Power Station (36MW) has a proud legacy of hydroelectric generation. However, after decades of operation, its equipment requires a major upgrade to ensure continued efficiency and reliability. Following an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process, Genesis Energy and ANDRITZ have finalized a detailed refurbishment plan to enhance the station’s performance and extend its operational life.

The scope of the contract includes:

• Replacement of the station's generators.
• Installation of new turbine runners, guide vanes, and turbine covers.
• Modernization of pressure relief valves and hydraulic governors.

ANDRITZ, a global leader in hydroelectric technology, will undertake the design, manufacturing, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the new equipment.

"We are excited to collaborate with ANDRITZ on this significant project," said Jane Bydder, Genesis’ General Manager of Engineering and Projects. "The power station’s upgrade will increase its efficiency, helping meet increasing demand for reliable, renewable electricity as we support New Zealand toward its goal of net zero 2050.”

The modernization effort represents a significant investment in renewable infrastructure, reinforcing Genesis Energy’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. The project is set to begin immediately, with completion expected by late 2027.

-------

28/06/2024: 1^st unit at Matahina again in commercial operation

ANDRITZ Hydropower New Zealand is pleased to announce that the 1^st Unit at Matahina Power Station, owned by our customer Manawa Energy has completed commissioning and performance testing successfully and re-entered commercial operation in early June. 

The 80 MW station, located on the Rangitaiki River, in the central North Island of New Zealand, comprises two Francis turbines and was first commissioned in 1967.  The upgrade by ANDRITZ is the first major overhaul of the turbines since installation and involved the installation of new turbine headcover and bottom ring, new guide vanes and a new runner along with various ancillary components.

A massive thanks to the team, our suppliers, and Manawa Energy.

-------

19/04/2024: New Zealand Hydropower Group Conference in Hamilton

Exciting news from the New Zealand Hydropower Group Conference in Hamilton! ANDRITZ Hydropower proudly served as the gold sponsor for this event on 10th – 11th April 2024, with some 130 attendees joining together for two days of presentations and networking.

Attendees of the Karapiro hydro station site visit, hosted by Mercury NZ and ANDRITZ, gained insights into our major refurbishment project, including our cutting-edge 100% water-lubricated Kaplan solution. Werner Ladstätter, our Technology Manager for Generators from Austria, shared invaluable research on partial discharge in modern mica insulation systems, sharing important information to shape future procurement specifications and assess generator life.

Our General Manager in New Zealand, Tony Mulholland, contributed to a dynamic procurement panel discussion with other visionary panellists, highlighting industry challenges, changes, and future trends. A big thank you to everyone who attended the conference and visited our booth - we anticipate more engaging interactions next time!

-------

30/03 2023: Karapiro, New Zealand

Mid-March 2023, we have installed the rotor in Unit 2 at Karapiro Hydro Power Station, on the Waikato River in New Zealand.

With the stator, thrust bracket and water lubricated runner hub already placed we’re in good position for final assembly and commissioning.

Congratulations to the entire ANDRITZ and @MercuryNZ teams for the excellent collaboration!

-------

02/12 2022: Karapiro, New Zealand – 30 tons of steel

At Karapiro, New Zealand the ANDRITZ and @Mercury team have reached a major project milestone, with the first new piece, the runner chamber and bottom ring being lowered into place for test fit.

This has approximately 30 tons of stainless steel and will be aligned and levelled to fractions of a millimeter by the specialists at ANDRITZ before being welded to the existing draft tube liner and then concreted in place.

-------

14/09 2022: Waiola, Fiji - Installation milestone of unit 3

The site team are making great progress, with the stator and rotor back in the machine, the alignment complete and the turbine bearing installed.

We are proud to be a partner with EFL in delivering reliable turbine, governing, excitation equipment as well as providing the site installation services.

Check out our new location page: www.andritz.com/hydro-nz

-------

08/03 2022: Tekapo B, New Zealand - Turbine upgrade project installation complete

The last turbine at Tekapo B has been commissioned in February 2022 and has recently successfully completed its endurance run.

ANDRITZ is proud to have delivered another high efficiency turbine to a New Zealand customer. 

At the end of 2016, ANDRITZ was awarded a contract for the refurbishment of the Tekapo B hydropower plant located at Lake Pukaki at the end of the Tekapo Canal in the South Island, New Zealand. The plant has two vertical Francis units with a combined capacity of about 160 MW. The owner, Genesis Energy, is one of the largest electricity generators and retailers in New Zealand. It owns a generation fleet comprised of thermal, hydro and wind generation, with a total MW generation capacity of 1,651 MW. 

The upgrade significantly improves the efficiency of the turbine, reduces maintenance and complexity by eliminating the relief valve and has significantly improved hydraulic stability and vibration of the machine. The installation works included installing the new turbine parts, maintenance works on the generator stator and rotor, and repair of the retained parts. 

This is another major project completed by ANDRITZ's installation team in New Zealand and has again demonstrated our commitment to partnering with our customers to deliver a high-quality machine assembly in the challenging COVID environment.

Technical data:
Output: 2 x 80 MW