Story: Coal and coal mining

Huntly power station

Huntly power station

The Huntly power station was commissioned in 1982 to run on gas and coal. As Māui gas supplies began to run out in the early 2000s, coal increasingly became the major fuel. When running entirely on coal, the station can use over 3 million tonnes a year, some of which is imported. The 1000MW station is about 12.5% of New Zealand's installed generation capacity and plays a critical role in the country's electricity supply.

About this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Shirley Williams


How to cite this page:

Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips. 'Coal and coal mining - The late 20th and the 21st centuries', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 14-Nov-12