Community backup power

Community backup power

We've installed backup generation in some areas of our electricity footprint to help power communities during prolonged outages.

 

Supporting resilience

Our electricity network is made up of sections or ‘feeders’, connecting our customers to our substations. Power to Coromandel township, Castlepoint, Riversdale Beach, Himatangi Beach and Whangamōmona communities is supplied by single feeders, which means we are unable to re-route power from another feeder to restore supply if there’s an outage, such as a tree going through a line in a storm, a vehicle colliding with a power pole, or during a planned outage for maintenance.

With generation, there’s a resource ready to help power the community in the event of the main electricity feed being unavailable. It also enables local communities to set up community hubs to supply essential services for people in the event of a natural disaster.

 

When they operate

It's important to know that these generators will not immediately start if there’s an outage. For safety, we need to make sure there have been no accidents or lines down connected to the outage. Typically, this can mean a wait of up to an hour before we start the generator. Storms, accidents and other work in the area can vary the response time.

 

Matarangi generator

We've installed a generator in Matarangi. However, as Matarangi has a backup electricity line feeding into the township, this generator is specifically designed to provide extra power to the town during peak visitor periods. 

 

Conserving energy

 
While generation should be available when the main power supply is lost in these communities, we'll need to work together to reduce electricity use where we can so that the generator isn’t overloaded and can continue to power the likes of wifi, fridges, freezers and heating in winter. This means only using power when you need it.  For example, keeping your fridge and freezer operating, but reducing the use of the washing machine or dishwasher by washing dishes by hand. Only turning the light or heater on in the room you are in and turning off heated towels rails, and not using heat pumps for cooling during warmer months. You can read more ways to save energy here. 
 
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