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 could use over 3 million tonnes a year. The station still plays a critical role in the country's electricity supply, using domestic and imported coal.

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

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How to cite this page:

Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, 'Coal and coal mining - The late 20th and early 21st centuries', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/7439/huntly-power-station (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 14 Apr 2021