Major Upgrade to South Dunedin Electricity Supply Officially Opens

Aurora Energy Chief Executive Richard Fletcher said the Carisbrook Substation would ensure future reliable electricity supply to more than 3,600 homes and businesses in South Dunedin.

“Carisbrook is a significant project for the Dunedin community and is an important part of future proofing and upgrading our network,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The opening of the new Carisbrook Substation will ensure our network can meet the needs of the current and future South Dunedin community.

“The new cabling and substation also minimises the failure risks of the older sub and improves modern functionality and safety features.”

Mr Fletcher thanked everyone involved in the project especially project partners Octa and Delta.

“A project of this scale could not be achieved without the skill and contribution of our team in collaboration with our project partners.”

The new Carisbrook Substation is the culmination of a two- year long project to replace one of the oldest substations on the Aurora Energy network.

The two-stage project which included building a new substation and installing new high-voltage underground cabling is a $15 million investment in the Dunedin area.

The Carisbrook substation stands directly opposite the Neville Street Substation which was operational until early this year.

Neville Street was built in the 1940s and 1950s and while still operational was due for retirement.

The first part of the project was the installation of two kilometres of new 33kV (33,000 volt) underground cables from the South Dunedin grid exit point to the Carisbrook Substation.

The new cables replace the old 33kV gas-insulated cables which supplied Neville Street substation from the Halfway Bush GXP.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and Aurora Energy Board Chair Steve Thompson did the honours by cutting the ribbon for the official opening.

ENDS