Post by Brent George on Dec 31, 2022 5:22:58 GMT
The single electricity line that powers Queenstown and threatens to cripple it
Stuff - Business: 27-Dec-22
It all comes down to a single row of pylons carrying lines 40km from Cromwell through the rugged and remote Nevis Valley.
Tourism hotspot Queenstown is reliant on the power coming from these lines – and there are fears the town faces a future of major blackouts and increasing power cuts as electricity providers fail to provide solutions.
Many users fear the vulnerability of the single row of pylons to earthquake or weather events means blackouts could become a future necessity.
Others are concerned with capacity constraints. Winter 2022 had several major power cuts that affected Coronet Peak ski field and vast areas of the Wakatipu Basin.
Stuff - Business: 27-Dec-22
It all comes down to a single row of pylons carrying lines 40km from Cromwell through the rugged and remote Nevis Valley.
Tourism hotspot Queenstown is reliant on the power coming from these lines – and there are fears the town faces a future of major blackouts and increasing power cuts as electricity providers fail to provide solutions.
Many users fear the vulnerability of the single row of pylons to earthquake or weather events means blackouts could become a future necessity.
Others are concerned with capacity constraints. Winter 2022 had several major power cuts that affected Coronet Peak ski field and vast areas of the Wakatipu Basin.