Instead, it is preliminary work being carried out for Meridian Energy Ltd, which may lead to a major engineering feasibility study into its proposed Waitaki River north bank tunnel concept power scheme.
The initial planning phase of the study has McNeill Drilling and Plumbing drilling up to 10 holes along the route of the scheme to gather information for preliminary engineering design work, Meridian's external relations manager Claire Shaw said.
Core samples will be taken to provide information on the geology near the site being considered for the scheme.
Up to 20 people will be involved, with the drilling expected to be completed by Christmas.
Yesterday, two rigs were preparing to start drilling in the Hakataramea Valley, before moving on to the Waitaki Valley.
However, whether the full engineering feasibility study will be carried out depends on several issues, including the outcome of an appeal by the Lower Waitaki River Management Society to the Environment Court heard in June and July. The group opposes Meridian being able to use water for the scheme.
"If and when we commit to a full engineering feasibility study, we would expect more extensive investigations and design work. We estimate that would probably take 12 to 14 months," she said.
A full feasibility study would provide more details on the engineering layout and construction method, where the single power house should be located, and information to assess effects so Meridian can prepare resource consent applications to the Waimate District Council.
It would also provide information, including an updated cost, for Meridian management and the board to decide whether to proceed with the scheme.
The proposed power scheme, estimated to cost almost $1 billion, would take up to 260 cumecs of water from Lake Waitaki into a 34km-long tunnel between the Waitaki dam and Stonewall, with one powerhouse generating between 1100GWh and 1400GWh a year.
