2019 Keeping you in touch with YOUR ELECTRICITY NETWORK

About OtagoNet Growth in Central OtagoNet is the major electricity network services provider for most of rural The ESL network in Central Otago continues to grow rapidly. The network has now reached the milestone of 1725 Otago. We’re owned by two lower -based electricity lines companies, installation connection points. The Power Company Ltd (TPCL) and Electricity Invercargill Ltd (EIL). The network is reticulated on the Frankton Flats area and extends across the Shotover Our network covers almost all of Otago: from Central Otago to Chaslands in Southland, and inland from the River to supply the Shotover Country subdivision and Queenstown Country Club Blue Mountains in West Otago to Shag Point on Otago’s east coast. OtagoNet owns the electricity network retirement village. It also brings electricity to the Kawarau Falls area, including the Hilton assets including power poles, power lines, underground power cables, transformers and substations. We contract Queenstown Resort and Spa and has now extended south to supply the new Hanley’s Farm PowerNet to manage, construct and maintain our network. Duncan Fea chairs OtagoNet’s governing committee subdivision. A new embedded network in , comprising both the Northlake and and Sarah Brown, Doug Fraser and Don Nicolson are committee members. Hikuwai subdivision is now also part of the ESL network.

Continuing to improve the safety, reliability and security of electricity supply and provide the infrastructure that The growth is set to continue as electricity infrastructure is installed to service the supports regional growth are key drivers for OtagoNet’s work programmes. proposed Glenpanel subdivision and extensions around Queenstown Country Club to Onslow Road subdivision. OtagoNet stats at 31 March 2018 Project Updates Cabling and installation work has continued at the Hanley’s Farm subdivision. Stages 1 and 3 are now complete and work is about to start on Stage 6.

Commercial development at the Queenstown Country Club including a child care centre, café, pharmacy and medical facilities is currently in the design phase, with work expected to be carried out throughout 2019.

The Shotover Country subdivision Stage 16 is currently under design. The reticulation of this subdivision will be completed mid-2019.

PowerNet Central Limited There’s a new company name around town.

PowerNet Central (formerly known as Peak Power Services Ltd) now represents PowerNet’s presence in “I’m really keen to continue PowerNet’s goal of delivering the Queenstown Lakes area. safe, efficient and reliable power to our communities in the Queenstown Lakes area. This includes continuing to enhance PowerNet’s 16 staff based at the Queenstown depot work alongside PowerNet staff from throughout our customer relationships and strengthening our collaboration Southland and Otago to provide network design services, capital construction works, and a maintenance with the local community and agencies to achieve the best and faults response for the Electricity Southland (ESL) network in Queenstown and Wanaka. service delivery,” says PowerNet Central’s new area manager, Queenstown Lakes is a vibrant, busy area with a significant level of development activity. The number of Chris Conway. electricity connection points on the ESL network (in both Queenstown and Wanaka) is currently 1725 up “The PowerNet-managed ESL network in the Queenstown from 1000 in September 2017. Shotover Country subdivision. Lakes area is a modern, fully-underground electricity network At Remarkables Park, with the extension of Red Oaks Drive to Mountain Ash Drive, which is a great asset to the local community. We’re pleased significant network infrastructure is being installed to supply future apartment blocks. This to play our part in establishing and servicing this network, and includes extending the main 22kV cable down Mountain Ash Drive to supply additional maintaining the great, natural, aesthetic appeal of the region.” network equipment. The extension of this cable also provides the capacity for future “Our PowerNet Queenstown depot not only works to build connections. Expansion in this region is ongoing. and maintain the ESL network, but also offers considerable Over in Wanaka, cabling and installation work continues at the 220ha Northlake development. external contracting capability in the electrical sector, both in The development is part of the embedded network that links to the Aurora network. Installation design and construction,” says Chris. work is being carried out on Stage 6 with commercial infill already complete. Chris brings an electrical engineering and trades background to his new role. He has strong experience in electrical construction projects throughout Australia and is enjoying the opportunities the region offers. “This is an amazing place to live and work and it is great to be involved in putting in good quality infrastructure that supports people to live here and enjoy all the area has to offer, while looking toward the future and how our use of energy is going to evolve.”

The PowerNet Central team including new area manager, Chris Conway (far left). Looking towards Park Shopping Complex.

New Clydevale Cable Making Our Community Safer New Balclutha Facility A new underground electricity cable installed from Clifton to Clydevale will The Whistling Frog Café in the Catlins is PowerNet will soon be calling for tenders to construct its new benefit Clydevale residents and businesses. the latest Southern organisation to benefit multi-use facility in Charlotte Street, Balclutha. “Installing this cable is one big step towards improving the reliability of electricity supply to the Clydevale from a life-saving donation from PowerNet “This new, purpose-built facility will be great for our 60 or so staff who work at the site and area. It is part of a bigger picture to provide customers with the best possible electricity supply and and St John. be an excellent base for PowerNet’s service delivery across South Otago,” says PowerNet service,” says PowerNet network assets engineer, Lloyd Williamson. Balclutha redevelopment manager, Terry Jones. An automated defibrillator (AED) donated to the café in July is PowerNet used a mole plough to install the 7.5km length of 33,000 volt, 185-square millimetre aluminium one of four donated to Southern communities during the year. The new depot and offices will house distribution, arborist and technical staff. Featuring cable in January this year. The technique is a cost-effective way of installing cabling underground. It is a mix of open-plan and separate office space, the facility will also include a new store for the second time PowerNet has used a mole plough to install cabling—the first was at the Hanley’s Farm The donation is part of PowerNet and St John’s sponsorship Corys Electrical, new vehicle sheds and off-street parking. Building plans optimise vehicle and development near Queenstown last year. to improve public safety and education in the south. worksite safety and flow.

“The Clydevale cable crosses through privately-owned farmland and we’d like to thank local land owners When available within minutes of a cardiac arrest occurring, an “The redevelopment will provide the infrastructure PowerNet needs for its people and for their cooperation and assistance during installation,” Lloyd says. AED can vastly improve a person’s chance of survival. clients for at least the next 50 years,” says PowerNet chief executive, Jason Franklin. Historically, electricity has been supplied to the Clydevale area by two overhead lines originating at the The AED donations and first-aid training are part of PowerNet’s From a community perspective, the new facilities will also give PowerNet the flexibility Charlotte Street substation in Balclutha. One of these lines has been getting older and less reliable—it is extensive sponsorship with St John. Now in its fourth year, and capability to continue operating at the site in a major disaster, and to run some of its part of this line that has been replaced with the underground cable. The new cable means power supply the programme includes first-aid training to communities and southern operational headquarters from Balclutha if required, he said. can be transferred to a significantly more reliable line in the event of a power outage or for maintenance. schools across the south. The programme’s goal is to have a Once successful tenders have been approved, construction work is anticipated to start Two high voltage automatic switches will be installed at Clydevale substation, saving the time taken to first-aid trained responder in every home. around June 2019. manually switch supply lines if a power outage occurs.

Power Issues? We’re always working to improve the reliability of our network. This means we’re having far fewer power outages but occasionally they still happen.

Check www.powernet.co.nz to view or report outages. Alternatively, phone our System Control team on 0800 808 587.

If you have any concerns about our service please call us on 03 2111899 and we will be pleased to help – we have a free internal complaints process. If we are unable to resolve your The mole plough at work. L/R: Rachael Watt and Lyndon Whale (PowerNet) presenting the AED to Michelle concern you can contact the free and independent Utilities Disputes Limited on 0800 22 33 40 Bridson (The Whistling Frog) with Tania Walker and Ken Barton (St John). (www.utilitiesdisputes.co.nz)