Powerco

Construction begins on 110,000 volt Coromandel line

Friday, 11 March 2011

Work on a Powerco's 110,000 volt line between Kaimarama and Coroglen in the Coromandel Peninsula has commenced.

Powerco General Manager Electricity Nigel Barbour said construction on the $6 million project was expected to last three months and had been designed to minimize the environmental impact in one of New Zealand’s premier tourist destinations.

"This project is about Powerco delivering on its commitment to the people of Whitianga and Coromandel to lift network performance on the peninsula through a programme of investments."

Powerco wished to acknowledge and thank Ngati Hei, local land owners, Thames Coromandel District Council and the many people in the Coromandel who had made submissions in support of the project which had been more than six years in the making, Mr Barbour said.

"Ngati Hei has been instrumental in providing guidance to Powerco for this project. We also wish to thank the land-owners between Kaimarama and Coroglen for allowing us to build this line on their property to provide an improved service to the entire community. Without the support of Ngati Hei and the land owners we would not have been able to make this project a reality."

Mr Barbour said once the 12km line was complete and connected, around 9500 customers on the upper peninsula would be supplied by two separate lines which would provide a step-change improvement in network reliability.

"We look forward to commissioning the new line at the end of May and in doing so, significantly reducing the likelihood of the prolonged power cuts during severe weather events that we have seen in past years."

Mr Barbour said there would be some tree clearing undertaken on private land to accommodate the new line and that Powerco had committed to plant two new trees for each tree it removed, with the new trees being planted on a 40 hectare block the Company had purchased in the area.

"Coromandel is a uniquely beautiful place and visitors from all over the world come here to enjoy the world class land and seascapes. Powerco is committed to respecting the environment. It is one of our core values and we plan on ensuring the impact of this project is minimized and offset where possible."

Mr Barbour said Powerco was also committed to ensuring the project was completed safely.

"Safety is Powerco’s top priority. We will have many people working in some difficult terrain and our goal is that everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day every day."

Powerco would be donating 500 high visibility vests for school children on the Coromandel Peninsula to mark the commencement of the project and to highlight its commitment to safety.

"Powerco’s commitment to safety extends to all the people in the communities we serve and we felt this was a great way to mark this milestone for Powerco in a positive way. Over the next few weeks we will be working with a number of schools on the peninsula to distribute the vests to children who walk, bike and catch the bus to school."

Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and gas distribution utility with around 420,000 consumers connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity networks are in Western Bay of Plenty, Thames, Coromandel, Eastern and Southern Waikato, Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu and the Wairarapa. Its gas pipeline networks are in Taranaki, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Wellington, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay.

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