Stockton Plateau Hydro Project facts for kids

The Stockton Plateau Hydro Project is a plan to build a new power station. This station will use the power of water to make electricity. It is planned for the Ngakawau River on the West Coast of the South Island in New Zealand.

What is the Stockton Plateau Hydro Project?

The Stockton Plateau Hydro Project is a proposed hydroelectric power station. This means it will create electricity using the natural flow of water. The project is being developed by a company called Hydro Developments Limited. They want to build this station to help provide power for New Zealand.

How the Project Will Work

A special part of this project involves water from the Stockton coal mine. Some of the water used by the power station will come from this mine. This is a good thing because it is expected to help clean up the Ngakawau River. By using this water, the project can reduce pollution levels in the river.

Getting Approval for the Project

Hydro Developments Limited first asked for permission to build the power station in December 2008. This permission is called a "resource consent." It's like getting a special permit to use natural resources. They received these consents in January 2010, which meant they could move forward with their plans.

Working Together for a Cleaner River

In October 2010, Hydro Developments Limited and another company called Solid Energy made an important announcement. They agreed to work together on using water from the Stockton plateau. This agreement was a big step forward. Both companies decided to stop their legal disagreements about each other's plans. This agreement was like a "green light" for the power station. It meant Hydro Developments Limited could use water from the Stockton open-cast mine. This water is currently polluted, so using it for the power station will help clean it up.