Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  March 14, 2024

Manapōuri Power Station Adds Electric Hydrofoiling Ferry

Lake Manapōuri in New Zealand is about to receive its first electric hydrofoiling ferry, the Candela P-12.

The Swedish-made Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry will provide daily transport for the staff and contractors servicing the country’s largest hydro power station, Manapōuri Power Station. 

The ferry will save 240 tons of carbon emissions annually and is expected to begin operating on Lake Manapouri in 2025.

Meridian Energy signed a deal with Swedish company Candela to provide the P-12 and will be the first customer outside Europe to take delivery of the electric shuttle ferry.

“We have to be bold and innovative to reduce emissions,” said Tania Palmer, Meridian’s GM of Generation, in a statement. “This deal is the result of a global search to identify the latest and best technology for our needs, and one that’s suitable for such an incredible natural environment. The Candela P-12 is an exciting replacement for the diesel ferry we currently use to transport people across the lake to the power station. It’ll drastically reduce emissions and, at the same time, give our team what’s arguably the best and most spectacular commute in the world.”

Flying on computer-guided hydrofoils, the P-12’s hull rises above the water at high speed, which reduces energy consumption by 80% when compared to traditional vessels and allows for long range and high-speed travel using battery power only.

The P-12 is stabilized in real-time by a flight controller that prevents the motion sickness-inducing pitching and slamming found in other ships. The flight controller uses sensors to measure the wave height in front of the vessel and then adjusts the hydrofoils’ angle of attack 100 times per second to provide a smooth ride over them.