Marsden A facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marsden A Power Station |
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|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Marsden Point, Northland |
| Coordinates | 35°52′32″S 174°28′05″E / 35.875474°S 174.468041°E |
| Status | Decommissioned |
| Construction began | 1962 |
| Commission date | 1964 |
| Decommission date | 1996 |
| Owner(s) | Mighty River Power |
Marsden A was a power station in New Zealand. It was located near the Marsden Point Oil Refinery in Marsden Point, Ruakaka, Northland. This station used oil to create electricity. It was built in the 1960s and could produce 250 megawatts (MW) of power.
Its main job was to be a backup power source. It helped make sure there was enough electricity for places like Auckland. The station used a long pipe to get cool seawater from Bream Bay. This water helped cool down the power station. Today, this same pipe is used by a local fish farming business.
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How Marsden A Power Station Worked
Marsden A was an oil-fired power station. This means it burned fuel oil to heat water. The steam from the hot water then spun large turbines. These turbines were connected to generators that made electricity. The station had two main units that worked together.
Why Marsden A Was Important
The power station was very important for New Zealand's electricity supply. It acted as an "emergency reserve." This meant it could quickly start up and provide power if other stations had problems. It was especially helpful for the city of Auckland, which needed a lot of electricity.
Why Marsden A Closed Down
Over time, Marsden A was used less and less. In 1982, a new power station called Huntly opened. Huntly could use both coal and gas, which were often cheaper than oil. Because of this, Marsden A became less needed.
In the 1990s, the price of oil went up a lot. This made it very expensive to run Marsden A. So, the power station was "mothballed." This means it was shut down but kept in a way that it could be started again if needed. However, it was fully closed down in 1996.
What Happened After It Closed?
Even after it stopped making electricity, one part of Marsden A was still used. It worked as a "synchronous condenser." This special machine helped keep the national electricity grid stable. It supported the power lines in Northland. However, in 2007, newer technology took over this job.
The company that owned and ran Marsden A was Mighty River Power.
Images for kids
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The power station before being commissioned in 1967
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