| North Bank tunnel project | |
| Location: | Waitaki River, New Zealand |
| Owner: | Meridian Energy |
| Status: | Indefinitely suspended proposal |
| Th Fuel Primary: | Hydropower |
| Ps Electrical Capacity: | 200MW |
| Coordinates: | -44.8°N 170.61°W |
The North Bank tunnel concept was a hydroelectric scheme being developed by Meridian Energy on the Waitaki River in Canterbury, New Zealand. The $993 million project was expected to produce an additional 1100to per annum, and take up to of water from Lake Waitaki. The project would have resulted in a per annum reduction in output from the Waitaki hydro station.[1]
Discovery of geological faultlines prompted a rethink of the project, including consideration of using a canal instead of a tunnel.[2]
Work on the project was suspended in January 2013 due to a forecast of flat demand for electricity for the next five years.[3] Resource consents for the scheme lapsed in 2016.[4]
This project is at a similar location to Project Aqua, a hydroelectric power proposal abandoned by Meridian in 2004.
In December 2008, Environment Canterbury granted water use consents for this project.[5] Appeals against this decision were made by Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tahu Fishers People Inc, the Lower Waitaki River Management Society and Black Point farmer Garth Dovey.[6] The appeal hearings were held in the Environment Court during June and July 2009,[7] with water rights being granted in September 2009.[8]