Work on Alpine Energy’s $10 million Power to Timaru electricity supply upgrade has been brought to a temporary halt.

Christchurch contractors Connetics involved in pulling the new 33 kV supply cables through trenches now halfway across the city have returned to Christchurch in the aftermath of Tuesday’s devastating earthquake.

Connetics staff have returned to assist the electricity re-supply programme in a city now crippled by the quake.

Alpine Energy’s Power to Timaru project manager Hayden Darling said the company’s thoughts were with those still trapped in the debris of fallen buildings and families who have lost loved ones.

“The unavoidable departure of the Connetics staff would mean an indefinite postponement of the Timaru work.”
“We are just not sure of when work might recommence. In the meantime trenching would be sealed and fenced off from the public during the stand-down”, Mr Darling said.

Trench reinstatement would continue in the Park Lane area and in other areas where cable had already been laid.

“Our earthmoving contractors would continue with ducting work through the Church Street-Le Cren Street roundabout intersection as planned, but trenching work would then stop,” he said. Trenching was scheduled to have continued along Le Cren Street to North Street next week.

Alpine Energy asks the public to remain clear of the trenching work and fenced off areas where the cables are visible.

The work, from the substation in Old North Road, will upgrade Timaru’s current 11 kV supply to 33 kV to equip the southern city and the Port of Timaru for its industrial, commercial and domestic electrical needs of the future.

More information is available on the Alpine Energy website at www.alpineenergy.co.nz/power_to_timaru.html.

ENDS

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