Delivering differently - our Coromandel fibre project

Powerco has started a project to instal a 164km fibre optic cable in the Coromandel Peninsula to better control and manage the electricity network in the area for the customers it serves there. 

The fibre will allow real-time monitoring of the performance of the electricity network, with data able to be transmitted both to and from its Network Operations Centre based in New Plymouth. 

That will allow the network control team to remotely monitor and control the network.  

Head of Electricity Programme and Delivery, Lynley Dunn says the fibre communications will be a big step forward for improving resilience and the ability to better monitor power supply in the Coromandel region. 

“The Coromandel region is one of the most beautiful parts of our electricity network, and also one of our most challenging,” she says. 

“We serve customers there across some tricky and remote terrain. Installing this fibre will allow us to install more ‘smart tech’ to be our eyes and ears in those further-flung areas of region. So for instance we’ll be able to monitor demand for power, or better detect if an outage has occurred.” 

“It will also allow our network operations team to remotely operate the network – to conduct switching for instance. So that means if there’s an outage and there are backfeeding options available, the team could remotely and reliably re-route power to get customers reconnected.“ 

Work in progress 

Work on the installation began early this year, and the project will be completed towards the end of the year. 
 
The majority of the fibre is being installed on Powerco’s existing overhead network, with some underground installation where that’s not available. Northpower are carrying out the installation on Powerco’s behalf. 

  

What you need to know: Planned power outages

Our contractors, Northpower, are carrying out this work on our behalf, and so they can do this work safely, we will need to turn off the power at times while the different parts of the project are completed.    

We need to turn off the power in Whangamatā for two final all-day outages on August 6th and August 16th. These outages are necessary to replace existing poles to maintain safety and integrity and to connect the fibre lines. 

Powerco provides a supply of electricity to Whangamatā and the wider region via a single 33,000kV spur line. Due to the scale of this project, the work has been planned under four specific outages for this 33kV spur line, two of which have already occurred. 

When this line is out of service, we have no alternate supply to keep our Whangamatā substation and the wider area running, so we cannot provide everyone with a continued supply.  

The Whangamatā BESS will provide back up for the commercial/retail area, and backfeeds will supply portions of Whangamatā, however a large portion of Whangamatā will be out. 

There will also be additional outages on some sections of our 11kV feeders, as well as the two remaining main outages mentioned above.

You will be able to check the outages yourself (including any updates and power outage tips) on our planned outage page.   
  
Please note, that this work is weather and access dependent and any changes to planned power outages will be communicated via your Retailer.   
  

How to find out more

Thank you for your patience and understanding while this important upgrade is completed. If you have any questions or concerns about this work, you can call or email us using the details below.


Email: generalenquiries@powerco.co.nz
Phone: 0800 769 372 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm)
Reference number: 50265565

Delivering differently 

To reduce costs of the project for its electricity customers, Powerco looked to collaborate with fibre users and providers. 

That led to an agreement with Chorus to use spare capacity, to supplement/support their existing telecommunications services in the region. 

This is the first time Powerco has sought to deliver a project in this way – signalling a new way to deliver infrastructure even more efficiently and cost-effectively for its customers. 

Where available, Chorus will be able to leverage spare capacity of this ‘dark fibre’ asset to use as backhaul to bolster capacity between their existing exchanges.

The arrangement is good news for customers in that this both maximises the use of the asset, and spreads the cost of it.  

 Powerco General Manager, Business Development Eric Pellicer says he sees the potential to deliver more projects like this in the future. 

 “Aotearoa New Zealand’s infrastructure needs a lot of investment, and it’s important that it’s delivered effectively and efficiently. If this project proves to be successful, we’ll be looking for similar opportunities to partner with other infrastructure owners and operators to deliver projects where there is alignment,” he says.