The Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry will make its debut in New Zealand, transporting staff to and from the country’s largest hydro power station, the Manapōuri Power Station. This marks the first time the electric vessel is delivered outside of Europe.
The electric water taxi is set to go into operation in 2025. Meridian Energy, the operator of the power station, estimates that transporting staff and contractors by boat will remove the equivalent of 52 petrol cars from the road and save 240 tons of carbon emissions per year. The company aims to reduce its emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
“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,” said Tania Palmer, Meridian’s GM of Generation. “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.”
The Swedish electric boat manufacturer Candela began series production of its P-12 water taxi in Stockholm at the end of last year. The P-12 is available in three versions: Shuttle, Voyager, and Business.
The ‘Business’ version is designed for 12 to 20 passengers and features a high-quality interior. The Voyager version is customizable for private and commercial customers, allowing them to change the interior design as needed.
Two electric motors provide 88 kW of power. The battery has a capacity of 252 kWh and can be charged with up to 200 kW. Candela claims a range of around 50 nautical miles (93 km) at a top speed of 30 knots, which is about 55 kph.
The P-12 Shuttle, first unveiled last year, offers space for up to 30 passengers and costs 1.7 million euros. According to Candela, the price matches that of a similar-sized vessel with a combustion engine. It will officially be integrated into Stockholm’s public transport network from 2024.
