Powerco Planning Manager Neville Goodwin said the project is currently underway but will not require any planned power shutdowns for customers.

"Powerco has two major lines supplying most of the Coromandel Peninsula so we have the ability to shut one line down for maintenance and supply customers with the other line.

"We are currently replacing 22 kilometres of overhead line, known as conductor, between Thames and Whitianga. We expect this will take us around seven weeks depending on the weather so the work is likely to be finished in early May." Mr Goodwin said.

"Up to 40 contractors from Northpower will be involved in the project which will also see around 20 power poles replaced along with 60 cross arms and related insulators. Powerco is also undertaking reinforcement work on a further 40 poles," he said.

This latest phase of work on the 66,000 volt lines on the Coromandel Peninsula follows a $1.6 million maintenance project in November last year which saw a large number of poles, cross arms and insulators replaced. Further major projects are planned for the area over the next two to three years which will ultimately result in the main 66,000 volt line from Kopu to Whitianga being completely refurbished.
 
Mr Goodwin said Powerco had briefed the helicopter pilots involved with the work to ensure they avoided causing any stress to livestock while undertaking the works.

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.