Bayswater substation upgrade begins
$11 M project to boost capacity, improve resilience and replace flood-risk substation
Image for illustrative purposes
New Zealand, Auckland: An $11 M upgrade has begun at the Belmont zone substation on Bayswater Avenue, where three new transformers will be installed over the next two years to support growing electricity demand in the area. The work, led by electricity provider Vector, is expected to continue until late 2027.
The upgrade is designed to improve supply reliability for homes and businesses across Devonport and nearby suburbs. Vector said the increased capacity will help restore power more quickly during unexpected outages, providing more flexibility for network operations as demand rises.
The project also enables the closure of the Ngataringa Bay substation, a low-lying facility at risk from sea-level rise. Decommissioning the site is expected to reduce flood-related vulnerability and strengthen long-term resilience to climate impacts. According to Vector, removing the coastal site reflects broader efforts to build infrastructure that can withstand changing weather conditions.
Construction at Bayswater will take place entirely within the current substation boundary, so no impact on local roads is anticipated. Residents may experience construction noise and occasional planned outages during the build phase.
Work will be completed in two stages. The first includes a new switchroom, a transformer bay and associated electrical equipment. A further two transformer bays will follow as part of the second stage. New equipment will also be installed partly underground, increasing space for additional transformers.
Once fully operational, the upgraded substation will allow decommissioning of the existing Bayswater transformer. Resource consent documentation notes that modern equipment is expected to reduce operational noise compared to current levels, and electromagnetic fields will remain well below safety guidelines verified by Auckland Council.
Source: Devonport Flagstaff
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