Flex solutions - Waihi Beach security of supply
How to submit your expression of interest
Expressions of interest open: DD MM 2025
Expressions of interest close: 5pm DD MM 2025
Submit your expression of interest here
More information
For more information about this flex opportunity email:
How to submit your expression of interest
Expressions of interest open: DD MM 2025
Expressions of interest close: 5pm DD MM 2025
Submit your expression of interest here
More information
For more information about this flex opportunity email:
How to submit your expression of interest
Expressions of interest open: DD MM 2025
Expressions of interest close: 5pm DD MM 2025
Submit your expression of interest here
More information
For more information about this flex opportunity email:
Overview
We invite expressions of interest (EOI) to provide flex solutions for Waihi Beach security of supply.
The challenge
Waihi Beach substation supplies about 3,400 customer connections. The area is a mixture of permanent and holiday homes, with peak demands occurring during weekends and holidays. The substation has a peak demand of around 6MVA with the load exceeding 3.5MVA 10% of the time, and above 2.2MVA for more than 50% of the time.
The substation is supplied via a single subtransmission circuit from Waihi substation, located southeast of Waihi township. The primary backup is the 11kV connection (Bowentown feeder) from Kauri Point substation, near Katikati. While this feeder can support 2.2MVA of Waihi sub load, there may be times, such as holiday periods and weekends when electricity use in the area peaks, that we're unable to supply all of the Waihi Beach area.
Our investment plans
To meet forecast demand, the following investments are planned:
- Installation of a 2.5MVA diesel generator at Waihi Beach substation
- Upgrade capacity of the Bowentown feeder from Kauri Point substation
The opportunity
We invite expressions of interest to provide on-call flex solutions during peak demand times on Waihi Beach substation and Kauri Point substation’s Bowentown feeder.
The flex solution will only be called on in the event of an outage on key equipment on our network. It would be used to reduce the risk of loss of supply to customers should such an outage occur during peak demand times.
What we offer
We’ll provide a retainer for having the flex solution available to us on-call, and additional remuneration each time it is used.
Our requirements
Minimum load reduction
A minimum 500kVA load reduction is required to ensure a flex solution is of sufficient scale to be of use.
Duration
Our preference is for load reduction for the full duration of the demand reduction period.
Shorter duration offerings will be considered if they can be applied to critical peaks within the demand reduction period.
Demand reduction periods and capacity
Load reduction would need to be available at the following times:
| Location | Time of year | Time of week | Morning | Load reduction | Evening | Load reduction | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Finish | Start | Finish | |||||
| Waihi Beach substation | All | All | 7.00am | 10.30am | 1.0MVA | 4.30pm | 10.30pm | 2.0MVA |
| Bowentown Feeder | All | All | 6.30am | 9.30am | 0.75MVA | 5.00pm | 10.00pm | 1.0MVA |
Reliability and response times
Powerco will consider a range of response times, with the desired response being sub-five minutes, but solutions that can respond in up-to 30 minutes will also be considered.
A methodology by which response can be measured to ensure compliance, will need to be in place.
Capacity roadmap
If you propose scaling up load reduction capacity over a period of time, a roadmap for how you will achieve this will need to be in place.
Peak shifting
Peak reduction measures must avoid the creation of a new peak. We will not consider solutions that increase demand within two hours of the demand reduction period.
Technology integration
Depending on the solution, remote monitoring of response may be required. We use industry standard protocols, and we'll work with you on the specific technology protocols that would support your flex solution.