Business Central December 2021

24 | Powerco DEVELOPMENT Powerco achieves big gains T T from page 23 Contractor Downer at work in Taranaki. Powerco is four years into a massive poles and lines investment upgrade. Proud to be part of the PowerCo Team Helping Provide Your Network Connections INSTALLATIONS MAINTENACE REPAIRS DESIGN ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING POWER LINES & UNDERGROUND COMMERCIAL SOLAR PUBLIC & ROAD LIGHTING POWERCO APPROVED CONTRACTOR CALL US TODAY 06 327 0017 www.thedownsgroup.co.nz admin@alfdowns.co.nz ELECTRICAL SERVICES Powerco adapted quickly when the pandemic first reached this country in 2020. Barring urgent maintenance, planned works were deferred where possible to minimise further disruption to homes and businesses. Risk to crews and the public was appropriately managed by ensuring work was done safely with social distancing. “Thanks to our heightened focus on deliv- ery, careful planning and the dedicated efforts of our crews, we made up the time lost during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. In the latest COVID-19 restrictions (August/September 2021), we again deferred planned works. “As the communities we support are outside Auckland, we were in Alert Levels 4 and 3 for three weeks; we expect to make up the lost time relatively quickly and are thankful for that.” Powerco’s five-year CPP investment pro- gramme includes a number of major network development projects that are making a real difference. In Taranaki, for example, faults are trending down right across the network. “Upgrading our electricity equipment in ar- eas such as Strathmore, Pātea and Pīhama is improving our network reliability, fixing faults and ultimately decreasing the risk of power outages affecting those communities.” Power supply to all rural Taranaki primary schools has been checked, and upgraded where necessary by replacing poles, lines and cross arms, and undergrounding cables. At Kaimata School, upgrade work has brought peace of mind for Principal Charlaine Spencer and her teaching staff, who are grate- ful that power lines outside their school are safe and in good condition. Next in line for school supply upgrade work is rural Whanganui later this year, followed by Wairarapa in 2022 with work in other regions in the planning stages. “We recognise school facilities are mul- ti-purpose sites, used for teaching, Civil De- fence emergency centres, polling places and community events. “That’s why having a safe, reliable supply at these schools is important, both for our tamariki and our rural communities.” Powerco’s community and environmental commitment is expressed in a myriad of ways, including through its support for a wide range of local events and worthy projects. “We’re passionate about our own backyard and preserving it for generations to come. Part of our conservation effort includes Re- plant for Tomorrow, a tree-planting initiative to redress the tree removal work we carry out to help keep our power lines clear and keep the lights on. We also sponsor the Powerco Education Centre at Wildbase Recovery in Palmerston North, which runs programmes on wildlife protection and teaching children about the role they can play.” • Powerco’s new Chief Executive is James Kilty. He started the position after publica- tion deadline.