Work to replace 11kV underground power cables on Te Awamutu’s Racecourse Rd – started in May – has finished.
Waipā Networks has invested more than 30 million this year to meet demands.
Waipā Networks’ chief executive Sean Horgan said as the community expanded, so must its infrastructure.
The cables had served the community since 1966.
“We’ve invested over $30 million this year to ensure that we will meet the growing electricity demands in our region,” Horgan said. “The Te Awamutu cable upgrade project was one of our major projects for 2024.
The new cables run for more than five kilometres from the Te Awamutu substation, under the Mangapiko stream and to overhead lines that support the Te Awamutu network, including Kāwhia.
When the original cables were laid, Te Awamutu’s population was just 5000 people – today more than 15,500 individual connections run to the Te Awamutu Grid Exit Point .
“As Te Awamutu, Kawhia and its surrounding areas continue to grow, investing in key infrastructure ahead of time is important,” Horgan said.
“This upgrade ensures our urban and rural power network can meet our communities growing demand for power, while replacing ageing assets improves the security of supply.”
Barbecue set up at Te Awamutu for community event. Photo: Supplied.
