POWERING UP AOTEAROA
Clyde Dam
Following the 1970s global energy crisis which saw oil prices increase exponentially, the Government embarked on the 'Think Big' growth strategy.
This aimed to make Aotearoa at least 60% self-sufficient in energy and to attract foreign investment in energy-intensive industries. The strategy called for more hydro development, intensified oil exploration, and the use of recently-discovered natural gas reserves, either directly or to manufacture synthetic petrol. The Clyde Dam was one of these projects.