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A new network management company will be looking after the Stewart Island Electricity Supply Authority (SIESA) and the generation and supply of electricity on Stewart Island Rakiura.
Council chief executive Cameron McIntosh said NZ Energy has been awarded an interim one-year contract to manage the network while the new solar farm is built. This ensures Council has time to find the long-term contractor who will operate and maintain SIESA’s new electricity generation and distribution assets.
“The contract with PowerNet had reached the end of its term and with the upcoming changes from the Rakiura energy solutions project and the likely different requirements, the future operations and maintenance contract will change. As a result of that, Council went to market for a short-term provider,” Mr McIntosh said.
“We thank PowerNet for its service to the island for the past 15 years,” he said.
PowerNet chief executive Paul Blue said PowerNet has been proud to support the Stewart Island community and manage SIESA on behalf of the Southland District Council for more than 15 years.
“We respect the Council’s decision following its procurement process, and our focus now is on ensuring a seamless transition to the new provider. We’ll work closely with the council and incoming team to support continuity of safe, efficient, and reliable electricity supply for the residents and businesses on Rakiura.”
SIESA is owned and operated by Southland District Council on behalf of Stewart Island Rakiura electricity consumers and is governed by the Stewart Island Rakiura Community Board.
SIESA’s network is at present powered by five diesel generators at a central power station and the power is delivered to more than 400 customers through 52km of overhead/underground circuit and 43 distribution transformers.
