The Monowai Power Station, fed by the Monowai River from Lake Monowai in Southland, New Zealand, was one of the earliest hydroelectric power stations in the country. Originally commissioned in 1925, it was refurbished between 2005 and 2007 and now contains modern turbines and plant, though the original buildings are still in use. Before its refurbishment, the station produced and of electricity per year. Generating capacity has now increased to 7.6 MW. Location The power station is located approximately 50 kilometres from the town of Tuatapere in Southland. The power station is accessed from Turbine Drive, which can be reached from Blackmount-Redcliff Road via Lake Monowai Road. History Development The first considerations for a Monowai hydropower plant were raised as early as 1910, when the Invercargill Borough Council aware of the success of Dunedin's Waipori hydro-electric scheme had employed consulting engineer G. Symington to investigate the best means of providing more power to the borough. In his report submitted in March 1910 he had identified that while Monowai would provide the cheapest power its distance from Invercargill (which would require the building of lengthy transmission lines) coupled with the demand meant it would be more feasible for the borough to continue using its existing coal powered power station. In 1914 a group of leading Southland businessmen and politicians established the Southland Progress League to promote and encourage growth in the region. One of the ten committees formed, focused on the potential and development of the region's natural resources. The League was granted access in 1916 to Symington's report, and other than requesting the government in July 1916 to investigate electricity generation options in Southland little was achieved and by March 1917 the league was in debt and consideration was being given to it being disbanded. In 1916, Frederick Kissel, an engineer in the Public Works Department reported to his manager in the department that Monowai was still an unrealistic option unless there was increased demand in the form of metallurgical or chemical manufacturing was developed in the Southland. The election of Alexander Rodger (1872 – ?) as the league president re-galvanized the league and saw it clear its debt. In 1917 the government in response to the league's request dispatched engineer Lawrence Birk (1874–1924) from the Public Work Department on the first of two visits (20 to 28 September and 1 to 8 December) to investigate the demand for electricity