Taihape Blog

Hello all,

Everybody from Taihape who pays for power should read this and have their say!!

Powerco is the electricity distribution provider for the Rangitikei. The Transpower site at Mataroa which supplies electricity to Taihape from the National Grid only has a single transformer. As a result, there is an annual 8-10 hour electricity outage in Taihape when the transformer is shut down for maintenance. Transpower strongly recommends installing a second Transformer at Mataroa. This would improve Taihape’s security of supply from the National Grid. A second transformer would mean the annual planned shutdown could be reduced from 8-10 hours to approximately 3-4 hours with more flexibility around the timing. In addition, a second transformer would reduce the risk of longer, unscheduled blackouts for a potential failure of the existing transformer.

However the Taihape Community needs to meet the cost of the new transformer in the form of an increase in the transmission component of their individual electricity bills. It is up to the Taihape Community to decide whether you would like this improvement in the security of your electricity supply. This project will not go ahead without a consensus approval from the Taihape Community.

As business owners you will have different electricity needs to, residential consumers. As part of the consultation process they need to understand the impact to you of the current situation and the annual outage.

Powerco strongly encourages you to participate in this consultation process to ensure your voice is heard.

So what do you think Taihape?
Should the residents and businesses of Taihape have to pay for this new transformer?
Do you think we need it?
Can you afford to pay more on your power bill?

Leave us your comments