Power to Timaru - 33 kv trenching project

Now connecting to the Port

Five-stage works to link sub-stations and the Port

1. Heaton St footpath between sub-station and Victoria St closed to pedestrians for several days from Monday.

2. Trenching across North St to prepare for 11 kV cables from Victoria substation.

3. North St trenching in roadway for Victoria St cables. 2.2m wide trench. Work begins in approx two weeks.

4. Trenching path to link Port area with new Heaton St sub-station. Cables will pass through existing ducting under the railway.

5. Future trenching and cable laying to Port

FURTHER trenching in Alpine Energy's Power to Timaru cabling and upgrade project. Stage four continues this week towards the Heaton Street rail crossing where this phase of the Power to Timaru project will end. Cabling towards the Port from the duct under the railway line will continue at a future date.

Now connecting to the Port

Up to stage 4 - Tranching to the rail way line

Alpine Energy Ltd's $10 million cabling and switching station project known as Power to Timaru upgrades the city's current 11 kV supply to 33 kV to equip the southern city and the Port of Timaru for its industrial, commercial and domestic electrical needs of the future. More than 36 km of 1200 mm2 sheathed alloy cable has been laid in a continuous trench sector-by-sector from Transpower's Timaru substation in Old North Road to Alpine's new switching station in Heaton Street.

A new phase in Alpine Energy Ltd's Power to Timaru cabling project, the linking of the existing 11 kV network to the new 33 kV sub-station in Heaton Street, and the installation of new cabling to supply the Port of Timaru, is making excellent progress.
The work is being done in four stages.
Stages two and three involve the connecting of Alpine's older 11 kV sub-station in Victoria Street to the new Heaton Street sub -station, which is the terminal of 33 kV cabling that was installed across the city earlier this year from Transpower's substation in Old North Road.
Stage two, a trench across North Street to connect to the 11 kV network on the other side has been completed and the roadway reinstated.
Stage three involves 2.2 metre-wide trenching along North Street west from the Victoria Street sub-station to join into the Stage two cables. This work is expected to be completed this week.
Stages one and four will see 33 kV cabling installed along Heaton Street, on its way to the Port of Timaru where the higher voltages will allow for future industrial and commercial development.
Stage four continues this week towards the Heaton Street rail crossing where this phase of the Power to Timaru project will end. Cabling towards the Port from the duct under the railway line will continue at a future date.

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Alpine Energy project manager Hayden Darling said the first stage of what would be a four-stage project over the next four to six weeks would be trenching under the northern footpath of Heaton St from Alpine's new substation along to the Victoria St intersection.

It is expected that the footpath would be closed to pedestrians for approximately 10 days while the trench was opened, cables laid and the trench reinstated.

Mr Darling said Stage 2 would see a trench across North St near the Dunroamin Dairy and cables pulled through in readiness for Stage 3, which was trenching in the roadway along North St from Alpine's older sub-station in Victoria St. This trench, 2.2 m wide and 1.1m deep, would re-route Victoria St sub-station's 11 kV cables to the new Heaton St sub-station.

Stage 4 was trenching further along Heaton St to link up with ducting under the railway line and to supply new cabling through to the Port of Timaru.
Mr Darling urged motorists and pedestrians to be aware of workmen and machinery operating in road-spaces in the area. The work is the next stage in Alpine Energy's electrical upgrade of the southern city and the Port to equip it for its industrial, commercial and domestic needs of the future.

12th July

Electricity upgrade earns support from Timaru businesses

ABOVE: Alpine Energy Ltd chief executive Andrew Tombs holds a section of 33 kV cable similar to that which will be laid on a 6 km route across Timaru. He said the ‘Power to Timaru’ project, which had been in the pipeline for more than three years, was a forward thinking company approach to providing the region’s existing, new and developing industries within the Port of Timaru, and possible future industries, with a reliable electricity supply.

Timaru business leaders have commended and congratulated electricity supply company Alpine Energy for its "timely foresight and confidence" in the business sector by upgrading the city's power supply capacity. The upgrade, involving the laying of more than36km of cabling lifting capacity from 11 kV to 33 kV, was one South Canterbury's most extensive electrical supply improvements the company had ever undertaken.

The work began at the start of the year and was completed in June, despite disruption by the Canterbury earthquakes and Alpine Energy supplying staff and equipment to the quake-hit Christchurch region.

Trenches were cut along city roadways sector-by-sector and traversed the area from Transpower's Old North Road sub-station to a new sub-station next to Repco in Heaton Street.

Alpine Energy Ltd chief executive Andrew Tombs said the $10 million project was planned three years out when the company foresaw the potential energy needs of a revitalised central and southern business landscape.

But it could not have predicted the value of the upgrade in the aftermath of the devastating Canterbury earthquakes and the continuing aftershocks with many Christchurch businesses now planning to set up in South Canterbury. The Christchurch influx adds to potential demand from local business expansion and new big-budget enterprises such as Holcim's cement works at Weston. Holcim has indicated its preferred port in its transport network is Timaru.

"We called this $10 million upgrade 'Power to Timaru' and that's just what we have now provided for when the needs arise," Mr Tombs said.

Local exporter Allan Booth, whose Starwood factory manufactures wood products for domestic and international markets said Alpine Energy's electricity supply upgrade across the city was a "pleasing investment in the future – now". "Although power is only one of the key ingredients to attract potential companies to the district, this may encourage other related service providers to think the same way," Mr Booth said.

"We have an abundance of locally-produced high-quality commodities, where the best place to process them is right here in South Canterbury. Let's encourage that." Major engineering company Parr and Co on Hayes Street, in the Port area, is in the area targeted by Alpine Energy for the 33 kV upgrade.

Managing-director and Timaru District Councillor Damon Odey said the forward-thinking project was "fantastic news" for the entire Timaru area.

"We are poised for some major developments and growth in our area, not to mention the impact of some businesses relocating from Christchurch," Mr Odey said. "This type of forward thinking and planning is part of our region's strategic growth. "Thanks to Alpine for taking the initiative to future-proof our power supplies. Timaru should be set to welcome any new opportunities and growth," he said.

Mr Tombs said the project had been completed despite some significant setbacks caused by the Christchurch earthquake and some inclement weather. Alpine Energy reassigned some staff and infrastructure to Orion power company in Christchurch to help that city recover from the disastrous earthquake. Among equipment reassigned to Christchurch was the very switchboard originally purchased for the 33kV project.

"That we have been able to complete our upgrade almost on time and under budget in these circumstances has been due in part to the wonderful co-operation we have received from the residents of Timaru, some of whom have had to put up with restricted access to their properties and detours and road closures in their neighbourhoods," Mr Tombs said. "Despite some handicaps, we have achieved what history will show as a major step forward for our community. To those who assisted, our grateful thanks."

 

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4th June

Thank you from Alpine Energy

Alpine Energy Ltd has almost completed one of South Canterbury’s most extensive electrical supply upgrades the company has ever undertaken.

More than 36km of cabling has been installed in 6km of trenches across Timaru from Old North Road to Heaton Street to expand capacity from 11 kV to 33 kV and deliver it to an area of the city to provides for the future growth of our Central Business District, the Port of Timaru and new industries in the southern urban areas.

Three years in the planning, we called this $10 million upgrade “Power to Timaru” and the physical aspects of the project evolved since the start of this year.
The efficient completion of the project has been reached despite some significant setbacks caused by the Christchurch earthquake and some inclement weather. Alpine Energy reassigned some staff and infrastructure to Orion power company in Christchurch to help that city recover from the disastrous earthquake.
That we have been able to complete our upgrade almost on time and under budget in these circumstances has been due in part to the wonderful co-operation we have received from the residents of Timaru, some of whom have had to put up with restricted access to their properties and detours and road closures in their neighbourhoods.
The support from the public has been outstanding. When visiting the various worksites across the city I have had members of the public come up to me to offer their support and co-operation.
Alpine Energy’s trenching contractors Paul Smith Earthmoving Ltd have also received a similar reception, some residents even offering their staff tea and scones, I am told.
Alpine Energy would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the public of Timaru.
While this project is for the benefit of the community and the region as a whole, the smooth and timely completion of it relied on many factors coming together as one for our company.
Despite some handicaps, we have achieved what history will show as a major step forward for our community. To those who have assisted, our grateful thanks.

Andrew Tombs
Chief Executive
Alpine Energy Ltd