Papenoo Hydroelectric Power Station

The Papenoo Hydroelectric Power Station is located near the commune of Papenoo on the island Tahiti in the overseas country of France, French Polynesia. It has an installed capacity of 28 MW and was constructed between 1989 and 1994. The hydroelectric power station is owned by Electricite de Tahiti SA. It is the largest hydroelectric power station in Tahiti.

It uses water provided by five reservoirs high up in the Papenoo Valley, above the commune. Each reservoir is created on the Papenoo River or a tributary by an embankment dam. From highest in elevation to lowest; Vaitapaa Dam at -17.65423°N, -149.43419°W, which lies at an elevation of 411 m above sea level, is 15 m tall. It withholds a reservoir of 8000 m3. Next, at an elevation of 400 m, Tahinu Dam, at -17.65257°N, -149.45117°W is 33 m high and withholds a larger reservoir of 1500000 m3. It is the tallest dam in Tahiti. Moving down is Vainavenave Dam at -17.65432°N, -149.42232°W which lies at 399 m above sea level, is 29 m tall, and withholds a reservoir of 150000 m3. Fourth down the valley is the Vaituoru Dam at an elevation of 200 m with a reservoir capacity of 100000 m3. It is located at -17.63327°N, -149.4321°W. Finally is the Tevaiohiro Dam at 85 m above sea level with a reservoir volume of 150000 m3. It is located at -17.58698°N, -149.41909°W.

Water from the reservoirs is sent to three separate power stations via 25.5 km of penstock. The power station highest in elevation, Papenoo 1 contains four 4 MW Pelton-turbine-generators and is located at -17.63689°N, -149.43358°W. Next downstream is Papenoo 2 at -17.59893°N, -149.41758°W which contains one 4 MW Pelton turbine-generators. Lastly, Papenoo 3 contains two 4 MW Pelton turbine-generators and is located at -17.55251°N, -149.43192°W.