Northpower safe, reliable, hassle free service.

Major power network upgrade starts

Published on September 8^th 2009, 4:37pm

Much of the network was built in the early 1960s and supported less than half the number of households connected today, says Communications Manager Vanessa Edge.

The upgrade is the result of large areas of the network simultaneously nearing the end of their lives, and corrosion of lines infrastructure by salt-laden air.

The rapid expansion of the Onerahi and Whangarei Heads area will also see Northpower undertake a $2.5 million upgrade of its Onerahi substation in Cartwright Road, with phase one starting at the end of this year, says Ms Edge.

The upgrade will increase capacity to sustain double the number of households and improve reliability of supply, reducing the impact of widespread faults.

Northpower began its upgrade in Sherwood Road with 25 linesman, five bucket trucks, five line trucks and three fault vehicles.

It involved replacing aging wooden poles, overhead power cables, wooden cross arms including ceramic insulators and pole-mounted transformers.

Work will take place between 9am and 2pm on weekdays to minimise traffic and power disruptions, and residents will be given at least four days’ notice before work starts in their street.

Power cuts can sometimes span several streets and where practical back-up generators will be used.

Northpower has measures in place to ensure vital services, such as the primary school and the shopping centre, will receive power during the upgrade.

Read the Whangarei Leader article on Fairfax’s website, page 4, 8 September 2009.

Back to Top