More power to the people

Work has begun on a new electricity substation to meet the growing demand for power in the Upper Clutha, particularly in Wanaka.

Aurora Energy is building the electricity switching substation on the old Queenstown Lakes District Council-owned stone quarry on the corner of Ballantyne and Riverside Rds, next to the council’s dog pound.

Aurora said the site was chosen because it was  at the crossing point of one of the 66kV lines from Cromwell and the lines to the substations at Cardrona and Maungawera.

The conditions under which Aurora was given resource consent were to plant a boundary hedge or shelter along the Ballantyne and Riverside Rd frontages, comply with set noise limits and ensure the buildings used neutral colours and had low reflectivity. 

- Kerrie Waterworth