Power outages in Far North cut by almost 50 percent

Improving the Far North electricity network has halved the number of power outages in the district, according to Top Energy.

The firm had the worst performing network in New Zealand in 2008 and 2009 when the average power consumer experienced six, four-hour outages in 12 months.

Some consumers suffered as many as 27 outages.

But a network programme that began last year has helped to nearly half average outages per customer of 900 minutes in a 12-month period.

Chief executive Russell Shaw says the improvement is the result of work targeting trees and lightning strikes, the two most common causes of power outages.

A $184 million, 10-year investment programme should help Top Energy meet a performance goal set after surveying customers about how many outages they thought were acceptable.

"One in four respondents told us they expected no outages at all," says Mr Shaw.

"In a perfect world that might be possible, but in reality it is extremely expensive.

"We’ve set our current target at 350 minutes or an average of less than two, three-hour outages per consumer per year."

Works planned under the 10-year network programme include working with Transpower to upgrade its two Kaitaia transformers.

"We have already signed supply contracts for new transformers. They have about a 16-month lead time to delivery and then commissioning will follow that."

The company is also seeking consumer feedback about building a second Kaitaia feeder line.

"We’ll need support from consumers to
convince the Electricity Commission that this
is the right thing to
do."

Work on a substation at Bulls Gorge near Kerikeri will improve network capacity when it is completed next month.

"This will greatly assist local industry and provide for additional load growth in the Kerikeri area."

Top Energy is about to apply for consents to build a new zone substation behind Great Northern Traders in Kerikeri.

"It’s an ideal location really, being central to town for load capacity and in a light industrial area where the building will be in keeping with its surroundings."

The company has also secured a site in Kaeo for a future substation and new lines linking Kaitaia with the Bay of Islands via the east coast.

- © Fairfax NZ News