Hawera substation upgrade

We’re upgraded the Hāwera substation, near the intersection of Ohangai and Ararata roads, to ensure the community’s power supply remains reliable now and into the future and enables future growth of the area.

The $9 million upgrade project involved:

• Building a new, two-roomed concrete switchroom.
• Undergrounding a cable from the substation to power poles on the intersection of Ohangai and Ararata roads.
• Removing old outdoor equipment.
• Reinstating fences and planting.

The two-room design of the swtichroom helps prevent the risk of a total loss of power supply to our customers in the event of fire, while housing switchgear inside will minimise the risk of damage or disruption caused by external factors, such as weather. 

We worked with Omexom, Connell Contractors and Empowerx on the project, which began in January 2024 and was completed mid-2025.