Monowai - Power Station Works, Original Photographs of the Scheme, 1922-1925 from Arthur Warren

Monowai - Power Station Works, Original Photographs of the Scheme, 1923-1925, from Arthur Warren:

Images are the original photos from the Monowai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme construction, which was undertaken by the SEPB (Southland Electric Power Board) from the contract start in 1920 until opening in 1925. However, these photos are all from the later part of construction. Donated by Arthur Warren, his father had worked on the power project with the family growing up in Monowai Village. More photos from his large collections are still to come.

IMAGES:
1 - Workings on one of the canal structures, note the power pole to the left.
2 & 3 - The Control Gates in operation, from two different points of view.
4 & 5 - The concrete cradles that held the pipeline and the pipeline in place. When this pipe was filled in October 1924, flattening occurred, some cradles broke; this was to be rectified by erecting double cradles in those places.
6 - The Power Station itself starts taking shape, it was completed Oct 1924.
7 - Effects of flooding Lake Monowai start to be seen after this happened.
8 - Arthur Warren (centre) busy telling us all stories about the Monowai Scheme at the Centennial, 1 May 2025, CC BY to CWA. Cheers Arthur! (and apologies from us at CWArchives that Arthur is slightly out of focus in this)

SITE HISTORY:
The Southland Electric Power Board was formed in 1919, with the Monowai Power Station firmly in their sights. This was a project that had massive potential to transform the lives of everyone across the Southland region, from manufacturers to those on farms, their workers and especially residential households. But due to a couple of failures in the early stages and a later delay after severe flooding, it would be five years in the making.

Firstly, there was the issue of getting machinery to the site. So, the Monowai Bridge was specifically made at Sunny side to transport both machinery and materials across the Waiau River, to the Monowai Power Station works at Lake Monowai. After the bridge was opened, construction of the Monowai Power Scheme started in 1921 but it was during 1923 that the most of the work was undertaken, the station was not commissioned until 1924.

Two of the eventually three turbines were running and current was being generated by the end of 1924. The Monowai power plant went on to transform especially rural life and that of farms, as some cities such as Invercargill already had a Steam Driven Power Plant before this. Finally in April, the invitations went out for the official opening of Monowai Hydro-Electric Scheme on 1st May 1925. It is this date that is being celebrated as the Centennial for Monowai.

Until 1939 the Monowai station was a vital and main power source to the whole Murihiku Southland district (until linked to the national power grid). It was later considered to be the 2nd smallest power station of the earlier NZ electricity department but of high importance for the people of Southland.

OFFICIAL OPENING DATE:
The official date of opening was 1 May 2025, although the Station had been operating for some months at that time, and it is this day that is being celebrated as the Monowai 100th or Centennial. It is fabulous that we have this rich history from the Warren family, whose ancestor helped to make this magic happen for us. Arthur says his mum was at the 50th Jubilee that was held in the village and we will be putting up photos of this event soon too..

Some time after the Monowai Power Station was officially opened on 1 May 1925 by the Southland Electric Power Board, they experienced financial difficulties, so it was bought by the Government in 1936. Up until the Southland network was linked to the national power grid in 1939, the Monowai Station was vital to the whole Murihiku Southland disitrict, as its main power source. Pioneer bought Monowai Station off Trustpower in December 2002, and still own it currently; they also own other power stations across the south.

It would be wonderful if more people contributed memories, photos and other memorabilia to add to the story and history of these life-altering project works of the Monowai Power Scheme. If you can help with this, please comment in the section under this image page, or contact us.
Central and Western Murihiku Southland Archive via DigitalNZ

http://api.digitalnz.org/records/58727631/source

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