Major Milestone For Latest New Plymouth Electricity Substation
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Work on a multi-million dollar electricity substation on the outskirts of New Plymouth is fast approaching completion following the installation of the last major component today.
Tenix contractors maneuver one of two $600,000 electricity transformers into place at Powerco's Katere Substation in New Plymouth
Powerco Electricity Planning Manager Michael Whaley said the second of two $600,000 transformers was delivered and installed at the new Katere Substation near the intersection of Katere and Egmont Roads this morning.
“We now have two transformers which will take electricity at 33,000 volts and convert it to 11,000 volts and then feed out supply to the surrounding areas.”
The new substation and related underground cables on Egmont Road represent an investment of around $8 million in the local electricity network.
“This is a significant project for New Plymouth and we expect these assets will provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity to people in the surrounding areas for the next 50 to 60 years,” Mr Whaley said.
“This substation and related equipment will effectively future-proof the electricity supply for this fast growing industrial area by accommodating forecast growth in demand for electricity as well as strengthening the electricity supply lines back into New Plymouth and out to Bell Block.”
Mr Whaley said the project was due for completion this winter once all of the new equipment had been tested, connected and commissioned.
Powerco was also installing new 33,000 volt underground cables along the lower section of Egmont Road to supply the new substation.
“The cable installation is also progressing well and Powerco wishes to thank motorists who may have been inconvenienced by the cable laying for their patience,” Mr Whaley said.
Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and gas distribution utility with around 400,000 consumers connected to its networks. Powerco’s electricity networks are in Tauranga, 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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