7 June 2024
Focus on Ruawai
Significant work is taking place in Ruawai as our Northpower team grows our network and community and futureproofs the region’s resilience and infrastructure.
As we reported in December 2023, our first solar farm is being built one hour southwest of Whangārei and is on track to be completed in December 2024. It’s a major commitment to investing in renewable energy and the first stage in our plan to create up to 100MW of solar power over the next ten years – enough to power 25,000 Northland homes!
Upgrading our high-voltage lines
Out in the field, we’re upgrading the high-voltage lines connecting Ruawai to Mareretu and Ruawai to Maungaturoto.
These upgrades will increase the capacity of our power supply and enhance its resilience. Some of this work is required following the damage done by Cyclone Gabrielle and will better prepare our network for future events.
Finally, we’re inspecting our lines and undertaking vegetation maintenance around Ruawai and the surrounding area to increase electricity supply security. In the next few months, some Ruawai residents may experience planned power outages as a result of these works.
We apologise for any inconvenience, and we’ll notify all affected customers nearer the time.
Bringing power home
Northpower is building its first solar farm in Ruawai as a step towards investment in renewable energy for Northland.
The solar farm gifted the name ‘Te Puna Mauri ō Omaru’ by local hapū Te Uri o Hau, will power 3,000 Northland homes and help to improve the region’s energy supply and resilience.