Hydroelectric plant technician
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work shifts, including evenings and weekends
- Usually work in workshops, power stations and substations
- May work in noisy, dusty and hazardous conditions
- May do physical demanding work
- Need to solve problems, make decisions and work well under pressure
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Control hydropower plant systems and machinery
- Operate turbines and energy production equipment
- Monitor equipment to ensure safe operation
- Operate pumps to control water flow
- Inspect hydropower equipment
- Maintain equipment
- Fix problems with machines and systems
- Record power production information
- Communicate plant issues with team members
Outlook
Hydroelectricity will remain an important part of New Zealand’s renewable electricity system. As electricity demand grows and more wind, solar and battery generation is added, hydro stations will continue to help balance supply and support reliability. Much of the sector’s focus is on maintaining and upgrading existing assets, improving automation and managing changing water conditions. This creates ongoing need for technical capability, although roles are specialised.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong electrical, mechanical or control-systems knowledge
- Careful focus on health, safety and environmental procedures
- Ability to diagnose faults and solve technical problems
- Confidence using digital monitoring and automation systems
- Accurate record-keeping and attention to detail
- Ability to work reliably as part of a technical team
AUT programmes
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering Technology
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
Content is reviewed by our experts, but information can change over time. Some content is created with AI support.
This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.