We're improving our electricity network in your area.
About the project
How this will help with your power
Where's affected
How the work will impact me
Who's involved
What we've done previously
Project photos
Latest updates
About the project
Wellington Electricity (we*) is your local lines company responsible for managing the poles, wires and equipment that safely deliver electricity to Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley.
We've been working with our contractors to look at ways in which we can improve reliability in the Pāuatahanui, Paekākāriki Hill, and Judgeford areas. Our improvement plans include replacing, fixing, inspecting, and maintaining the poles, wires and other equipment that makes up the electricity network in your area. Some of this work has already begun as of November 2022, but there is still more to come.
How this will help with the reliability of your supply
About a third of the outages in the last year have been related to trees. Every year, our contracted arborist, Treescape, surveys the lines for potential hazards. In the past few months, our crews have conducted multiple surveys and have been working with tree owners to cut or trim the trees near our network to help reduce outages and improve reliability.
While our equipment and poles are monitored for defects in line with our Asset Management Plan, we've identified that some equipment needs to be repaired or replaced due to worsening weather conditions and normal wear and tear. By upgrading our equipment, we can reduce the number of outages in your area.
Some of the smallest cracks can cause the biggest issues. Our comprehensive inspections will help us to see the little things that may not ordinarily be visible. Our aim is to spot these issues early and get any faulty equipment replaced before it affects you.
Where's affected
Click on any of the highlighted areas to learn more or click on the right arrow at the top left of the map for an overview.
Red = to be undertaken
Orange = partially complete
Green = complete
How the work might impact you
We'll be contacting residents and businesses in the area by email and via electricity retailers, and will continue to do so throughout the project (along with in-person letter drops from our crews). You can expect:
- traffic management & road closures,
- planned outages,
- a need for us to access your land (where our equipment is on private property),
- notification that your trees may be too close to power lines and need to be cut or trimmed.
Please be assured that we will be doing our best to minimise any impacts to you while we complete this work. For any planned outages, your electricity retailer will let you know if and when you'll be affected.
Where our assets are on private land, our contractors might need to arrange access with you to either inspect or replace equipment. We'll endeavour to work with you on any preferred routes, timing, etc. At some times machinery may be needed, but we'll take steps to minimise any direct impact to land we access and will reinstate land to its previous condition so far as is reasonably practicable.
Who's involved
This project is being managed by we* and the work is being carried out by our contractors, Downer, Northpower, and Treescape. They will be in touch directly if you're affected by something they're doing.
What we've done previously
- Our Treescape crews have been out assessing the area and identifying problem spots. They have been issuing cut or trim notices (CTNs) to tree owners for any trees close to our power lines.
- Northpower have been walking the lines along Murphys Road identifying potential issues.
- Our engineers have designed the line upgrades and passed these to our contractors for delivery.
- Downer have been out scoping the work – working through access requirements, ordering materials, and confirming logistics so that they can limit the number of outages required.
Latest updates
We recently held a community gathering at Flighty's Cafe where we provided an update on where we're at with the project. If you missed it and would like to see the presentation, please email us and we'll be happy to send you a copy.
Update 1 May 2024:
The following works are to be undertaken in the coming months:
- Pole replacements at 26-36 Grays Road (completed today).
- Completion of Grays Road line re-build, to the west of Te Ara Piko pathway.
- Completion of Murphys Road line re-build.
- Commencement of Belmont Road line re-build.
Check out our interactive map for more details.
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