MainPower

MainPower New Zealand Limited is an electricity distribution company, based in Rangiora, New Zealand, responsible for electricity distribution to nearly 42,000 customers in the Canterbury region north of the Waimakariri River.[1] MainPower was formed in 1993,[2] after the Energy Companies Act 1992 required the North Canterbury Electric Power Board to reform into a commercial power company. More reforms in 1998 required electricity companies nationally to split their lines and retail businesses, with MainPower retaining its lines business and selling its retail business to Contact Energy.

MainPower
IndustryElectricity distribution
PredecessorNorth Canterbury Electric Power Board
Founded1928
Headquarters
Rangiora
,
New Zealand
Key people
Tony King (Chair)
Andy Lester (CE)
ParentMainPower Trust
Websitewww.mainpower.co.nz

MainPower has initiated a number of local generation projects, including the Mount Cass Wind Farm (proposed)[3] and Cleardale Hydro Power Station (operating).[4]

Electricity network

MainPower has a total service area of 11,180 square kilometres (4,320 sq mi), covering the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura districts. The area includes the towns of Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Oxford, Woodend, Pegasus, Amberley, Waipara, Culverden, Cheviot, Hanmer Springs and Kaikōura.[1]

MainPower takes electricity from Transpower's national grid at five grid exit points (GXPs): Kaiapoi, Southbrook, Ashley, Waipara and Culverden. It operates 4,873 km of circuits[1] at 66,000 and 33,000 volts for subtransmission, and 22,000 and 11,000 volts for distribution. As is standard in New Zealand, electricity is delivered to homes at 230/400 volts (phase-to-neutral/phase-to-phase).

In 2011, MainPower purchased the Kaikōura GXP and Culverden to Kaikōura 66 kV transmission line from Transpower. In 2015, MainPower completed works to up-rate the network west of Rangiora towards Oxford to 66/22 kV (from 33/11 kV). Other projects in progress include upgrading the 33 kV subtransmission line between Cheviot and Kaikōura to 66 kV, and preparing for a new "Rangora East" GXP between Rangiora and Woodend to supply Woodend and Pegasus, offloading Kaiapoi GXP.

MainPower network statistics as of 31 March 2021[5]
ParameterValue
Total system length5,165 km
50kV & 66 kV224 km
33 kV166 km
22 kV (other than SWER)1,048 km
6.6kV to 11 kV (inclusive - other than SWER)2,660 km
Single wire earth return (SWER)119 km
Low voltage (<1k V)949 km
Dedicated street lighting circuit537 km

In the year to 31 March 2021, the MainPower network had a SAIDI of 297.35 minutes, meaning the average customer experiences 4 hours 57 minutes hours without electricity every year.[5]

See also

References
  1. "About MainPower". MainPower.
  2. "View All Details". app.companiesoffice.govt.nz. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  3. "Mt Cass Wind Farm". Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  4. "Hydro Generation". www.mainpower.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  5. "Electricity Distribution Information Disclosure August 2021" (PDF). MainPower.co.nz. 31 August 2021.
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