Vector Network News: Happy 175th Auckland

26 January 2015

Vector Network News: Happy 175th Auckland

As thousands throng the waterfront to celebrate Auckland’s anniversary, it’s timely to take a look back at the introduction of electricity supply to Auckland homes and businesses - beginning at the dawn of the 1900s.

Auckland’s electricity supply starting with the construction of small, council-owned power stations.

Electricity was initially used for street lighting and electric trams. The Auckland City Council opened a rubbish-burning generation plant at Freeman's Bay in 1908 and a more efficient coal-burning station at King's Wharf in 1913.

All Auckland's power was generated within the city.

By 1909, the council had signed up 195 electricity customers. Five years later, there were 2123.

On April 1, 1922, the new AEPB took over the council's power assets. It started off with 8000 customers and revenue of 210,000.

Today, Vector owns and operates the electricity network in the greater Auckland region. Our cables and lines deliver power to more than 547,140 homes and businesses.

Network summary for week ending 25 January 2015

Electricity
Our contractors advised that a council streetlight had been damaged by a car v. pole incident in Hobsonville during the week. Our contractors made the site safe and referred it to the council. Emergency repairs were also carried out after car v. pole incidents in Penrose and Whangaparaoa.

A car also struck a transformer in Mt Albert during the week, affecting a feeder.

There were house/building fires in Campbells Bay, Pakuranga North and Otahuhu. The fire service advised our crews to stand down from the Otahuhu incident. Power was isolated to all these events for safety.

Gas
In Ponsonby, damage to our gas network was isolated after reports of a smell of gas during the week. No customers were affected.

Damage to our network, caused by third party contractors,occurred in Titirangi, Kohimarama, Northcote and Albany during the week, and emergency services advised us of a smell of gas in Hamilton. Our crews attended these incidents, and made the necessary repairs.

Shorts
• Vector owns over 18,000 kilometres of overhead and underground lines in the greater Auckland area, and 12,752 of gas pipe lines, almost half of which supply gas to Auckland.
• Vector, proud sponsor of the Arena.

Vector owns and manages a unique portfolio which consists of electricity distribution, gas transmission and distribution, electricity and gas metering installations and data management services, natural gas and LPG and fibre optic networks.

Vector is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange with ticker symbol VCT. Our majority shareholder, with voting rights of 75.4%, is the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust (AECT).

Vector is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange with ticker symbol VCT. For further information, visit www.vector.co.nz.

ENDS

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