Omexom undertakes upgrade of Whanganui towers

Over this summer, Omexom New Zealand will undertake the replacement of aging towers situated on both sides of the Whanganui River, an initiative aimed at supporting Whanganui’s electricity capacity and resilience. The existing towers transmit high-voltage power, critical for supplying electricity to a significant portion of the Whanganui Central Business District, including essential facilities, such as Whanganui Hospital and council buildings.

Having served since the 1960s, the towers have now reached the end of their operational lifespans, prompting the decision for their like-for-like replacement.  The consultation process, initiated in May 2022, explored various options, all of which were deemed unworkable, due to factors, such as environmental impact, earthquake and flooding risks, and cost considerations.

Ultimately, a decision was made in favor of a straightforward replacement strategy.  Omexom was chosen to lead this project, a testimony to Powerco’s confidence in our capabilities, skillsets and professionalism.

Omexom is in the midst of the project, which started in November 2023 and ends in February 2024, involving the construction of new foundations, installation of the towers, and upgrading of the power lines.  Additionally, planned outages will be communicated in advance to affected parties, reflecting Powerco’s commitment to transparency and community engagement.