Powerco’s upgrade of the 66,000-volt line supplying electricity to Coromandel Town was successfully completed on December 2.

Powerco Network Asset Strategy Manager Michael Whaley said the refurbishment of the sole line supplying Coromandel Town and the surrounding areas involved the replacement of seven double pole H structures and approximately 50 cross arm assemblies with insulators as well as a number of glass disc insulators.

“This is one of a combination of projects aimed at increasing the reliability of supply to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula,” Mr Whaley said.

During the refurbishment Powerco shut down the 66,000-volt line, with diesel generators providing alternative supply to minimise disruption to consumers in Coromandel Town and the surrounding areas.

The project presented a variety of logistical challenges and involved the following resources:

• The three days of work and related planning cost around $500,000
• 4MVA of generation was installed at Coromandel to supply the town and surrounding areas during the shutdowns
• 6000 litres of diesel fuel was consumed by the generators each day
• Each of the four generators was powered by a 17-tonne V16, 1800HP engine - the equivalent of a 50 litre engine
• 68 linemen replaced 14 poles and 50 cross-arms during three days
• 20 technicians and field staff undertook scheduled maintenance at Coromandel Substation during the three days.
• Helicopters were utilised to fly 12m poles and equipment into and out of remote locations off the 309 Road on the peninsula.
• Three contracting companies provided expert staff from as far a field as Napier and Wanganui for this project
• 1500 man-hours were expended during the outage period

Powerco wishes to acknowledge the cooperation and support of the local community and land landowners, in particular, the Department of Conservation.

Powerco has a number of other projects planned to improve the reliability of supply to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula and will provide updates as the works commence.

Powerco is New Zealand’s second largest electricity and second largest 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 the Hawke’s Bay.