South Island energy company, Southern Generation Limited Partnership (SGLP), a partnership between Pioneer Energy, The Power Company and Electricity Invercargill, added three hydro-electric stations to its portfolio on July 20.

SGLP bought the three stations from the Waikato-based The Lines Company, who sought and gained shareholder approval for the sale.

This brings the total number of renewable assets owned by SGLP to eight; four hydro schemes in the North Island, and two hydro schemes and two wind farms in the South Island.

The three generation schemes will go from community ownership to community ownership as all three SGLP partners are community owned.

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The three sites (two in the King Country and one near Gisborne in the Eastland region) are run-of-river schemes, and combined, capable of generating between 15-24 GWh annually.

SGLP Managing Director and Pioneer Energy CEO, Fraser Jonker, says, “The opportunity to add these to the joint venture’s existing asset portfolio fits SGLP’s strategy of continued diversification and investment in renewable generation.

It came at the right time after recently also adding the Upper Fraser and Matiri hydro schemes to the portfolio.” 

Lake Matiri, near Murchison in the Tasman district. Photo: Pioneer Energy

Upper Fraser powerhouse, 13km west of Alexandra. Photo: breen.co.nz

He went on to say,” We will continue to rely on locally-based and experienced people to support the maintenance and operations of these sites.”