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Network projects

We're focused on improving the network by utilising technology, dealing to design issues, and replacing aging infrastructure.

  • $20m

    forecast to be invested in network improvements this year

  • $4.7m

    Waitete substation project underway

Demand for electricity on our network continues to grow. Farming, commercial and industrial business growth across the network, along with population increases predicted for northern areas, mean there’s more demand for power. We’ve planned for that and have a number of upgrades and other network investments underway to make sure our region is well positioned for future economic development opportunities.

Waitete Substation Project

The largest new build since the 1950s, the new Waitete substation will support increased commercial and residential growth in Te Kūiti.

At an estimated cost of $4.5 million dollars, the new substation will deliver a modern, fit for purpose, zone substation that will accommodate a reliable supply for Te Kūiti for the next 20 – 30 years. The project is planned for completion in March 2022.

 

Kuratau line renewal and substation upgrade

Between now and the end of 2021 we’re making around $1.4 million of improvements to the lines and substation servicing over 1600 of our customers on the western side of Lake Taupō.

This work is to increase supply reliability, reduce outages and speed up restoration time.

We’ve now completed stage two of our line renewal in and around the area. Stage three will be completed in late 2021, as part of this project we’ll be replacing the transformer at the Kuratau substation.

 

Te Waireka substation upgrade

While the current demand from our Te Waireka substation at Ōtorohanga was being met, the town and surrounding area are growing, needing more electricity in the future.

To meet the demand, we’re upgrading the Te Waireka substation – a project being undertaken in three parts.

STAGE ONE COMPLETED DECEMBER 2018

Over a 12 month period in 2018, we replaced Te Waireka’s transformers with two bigger ones to increase the amount of power we can supply from it.

STAGE TWO UNDERWAY
The upgrade of the substation’s switch rooms was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Work on this stage of the project is once again underway, and will see new larger equipment installed to increase capacity.

STAGE THREE COMPLETION MID 2023

In 2023 we’re replacing the 2nd substation switch room.

 

Tūrangi alternate supply

Focused on improving the quality of supply to those living in or near Tūrangi, we’re investing in an alternative supply.

Stage one of the two staged project was completed in 2020, with the second stage currently in design.

STAGE ONE COMPLETED 2020
At a cost of around $300,000, the first stage upgraded the Awamate – Waiotaka – Kiko Road cable that crosses the Tongariro River bridge. This provides better back up supply and quicker reconnection of most outages to around 1200 customers in that area.

STAGE TWO IN DESIGN
The second and more complex stage is currently being scoped and expected to be a multi-million dollar project. It involves installing new cable to the Tūrangi substation to provide a more reliable supply to our 2000 Tūrangi customers.

 

LiDAR prioritises asset renewal

We’re using LiDAR technology to build a comprehensive 3D view of our power line assets, helping us to target our investment where it’s needed most.

LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a technology that allows objects to be shown as a series of data points. It can be used by a drone or a helicopter. The 4200km survey, will also help to improve the reliability of the network by providing detailed data-driven views of the infrastructure. This way we know which lines need improvements and which trees need trimming or felling.