Powerco Strategic Review

Powerco is New Zealand’s largest dual-energy distributor by network length, serving over 900,000 customers across the North Island. They own and operate more than 29,200 km of electricity lines and over 6,200 km of gas pipes. Powerco is dedicated to creating a sustainable energy future by ensuring the energy they provide is safe, reliable, and resilient. Their efforts are focused on preparing their networks for change and supporting the country’s aspirations for a net-zero future.

Their electricity distribution network includes substations, overhead lines, switch rooms, transformers, and underground cables. They have implemented a comprehensive asset management system, which aligns with the internationally recognised asset management standard ISO550011.

Powerco’s gas network is designed and constructed according to a suite of AS/NZS design standards. The network includes pipeline pressures above and below 1050 kPa, governed by AS/NZS 4645.1 and the AS/NZS 2885 suite of standards, respectively.

Driving Change

Infravue conducted an asset review on the Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSP) for both electricity and gas networks.

Our team members analysed the network characteristics, the opportunities, and risks presented with the electrification of the grid, the asset management systems in place, the capex/opex required to continue operating both networks, and whether they were in line with regulatory caps.

The ESG due diligence included reviewing and assessing health and safety, governance, diversity and inclusion, environmental compliance, community, stakeholder engagement, and decarbonisation.