WSP to review Aurora network

AURORA Energy has contracted international engineering firm WSP to carry out an independent review of its electricity network.

The Dunedin City Councilowned electricity company confirmed earlier this year it was commissioning the review to provide ‘‘a common understanding of the state of the network’’.

Yesterday, Aurora chief executive Richard Fletcher said Peter Walshe, a WSP technical executive based in Melbourne, would head the review, supported by electrical engineers and technical experts in New Zealand and Australia.

The review would involve an initial desktop exercise, followed by more detailed assessment work, including onsite inspections and testing, Mr Fletcher said.

The Commerce Commission had signed off on the terms of reference and the appointment of WSP, and would continue to be involved in the review, he said.

The move followed public concern at the state of Aurora’s network, across Dunedin, Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes area, which prompted plans for a massive increase in investment by the company.

The company increased its forecast 10year spending plans by more than $300 million, to $720 million, last year, but has increased that again, to $930 million, in a new interim 10year asset management plan.

The company’s response to date has included a $30 million fasttrack programme to fix or replace ageing power poles across the network, which included replacing 2800 of the worst poles across its network.