Contact Energy will start discussing possible hydro-electric development on the Clutha River with the public from early to mid-February.
It may take 12 months for the company to understand how different communities along the Clutha view potential projects.
Contact decided in December to involve the public in relation to development of the Clutha's upper and lower catchments after a meeting at its Clyde hydro dam.
Mayors from the Central Otago, Clutha, and Queenstown Lakes districts met Contact's Wellington-based general manager of generation, Mark Trigg, along with Central Otago project manager of hydro development Neil Gillespie and Clyde dam manager Graham Quinn.
It was the first gathering of local government officials and Contact since the power company confirmed in August it was revisiting previously shelved plans for dams at Beaumont, Queensberry and Luggate.
The mayors advised Contact on how best to engage the public concerning development of the river.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Gillespie said he now knew what course to take.
"We are looking at what the options are and are discussing those options with the public to understand communities' views. It will be over the next 12 months basically," he said.
He said Contact wanted to consider development while being mindful of how nearby communities may be affected.
