An iwi-owned electricity network at the Ruakura Superhub has gone fully live, marking a major infrastructure milestone for one of New Zealand’s largest logistics and industrial developments.
Ruakura Energy successfully connected its first customer, the Ruakura Inland Port, to the network on June 9. The inland port is jointly owned by Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) and the Port of Tauranga.
The network connects directly to the national grid through a dedicated substation featuring twin 30MVA transformers and underground cabling, supplying electricity to businesses operating within the Superhub.
For the past three years, the network has operated as an embedded network supported by WEL Networks. The latest milestone sees Ruakura Energy become a fully standalone operation, with TGH owning the infrastructure from the Transpower grid connection through to the end customer.
TGH chief executive Craig West says the project delivers greater energy resilience for businesses operating at the site.
He says Ruakura Energy is a key step towards a “higher degree of energy autonomy for the Superhub and helps ensure resilient supply for the growing number of energy-critical businesses”.
The network was developed to support the large-scale warehousing, logistics and distribution facilities being established at the Superhub, including operations with significant power requirements such as cold storage facilities.
West says the network has also been designed to support future renewable energy generation.
“Looking forward, Ruakura Energy is a critical component of the Superhub’s infrastructure. The network has the capacity to integrate solar power generated within the Superhub to supplement energy drawn through the national grid connection.”
According to TGH, the project stems from a vision developed four years ago to create and own a dedicated electricity network for the Superhub rather than relying on an existing lines company.
The company believes it is the first time an iwi has established a commercial electricity network of this scale.
Energy demand is expected to increase as development continues across the Superhub. Stage one covers 120 hectares, while the full project is expected to span more than 610ha over the next two decades.
West acknowledged the contribution of a number of partners involved in delivering the project, including WEL Networks, PowerNet, Northpower, Tenco, Ergo and Tompkins Wake.
