Wairau Hydro Scheme

The Wairau Hydro Scheme is a canal based hydroelectric project proposed by TrustPower on the Wairau River in Marlborough, New Zealand. The $280 million project would divert up to 60% of the river through 49 km of canals to generate up to 70 MW of electricity.

Resource consents
Resource consents for this project were granted in 2008. This decision was appealed to the Environment Court, which in 2010 decided in favour of the project. However, TrustPower put the project on hold in 2012, due to low electricity prices combined with rising construction costs. Consents for the scheme lapsed in 2021.