Unison Networks Limited (Unison) is an electricity distribution based in Hastings, New Zealand.

Unison Networks
IndustryElectricity distribution
PredecessorHawke's Bay Electric Power Board
Founded1924
Headquarters,
Area served
Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Taupō
Key people
Philip Hocquard (Chair)
Jaun Park (CEO)
Revenue$210m[1]
$27m[1]
Total assets$721m[1]
Total equity$343m[1]
ParentHawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust
Websitewww.unison.co.nz

Unison owns and manages the electricity lines network in the Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupō regions. The service area covers 12,000 km2.[2] The Unison group also provides electrical, civil, and vegetation contracting services; manufactures electrical products; and operates an insurance company.[1]

Ownership

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The company is 100% owned by the Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust on behalf of electricity consumers in the Hawke's Bay area. The Trust is made up of five elected Trustees and operates under a Trust Deed.[3]

Distribution network

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The Unison subtransmission and distribution network is supplied from the national grid via Transpower substations. Seven Transpower grid exit points (GXPs) supply the Unison network: Redclyffe, Fernhill, and Whakatu for Napier-Hastings; Wairakei for Taupo; and Rotorua, Owhata, and Takurenga for Rotorua.

Network statistics

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Unison Networks Limited network statistics as of 31 March 2021[4]
Parameter Value
Napier-Hastings Rotorua & Taupō Total
Total system length 5,560 km 3,786 km 9,347 km
33 kV 289 km 208 km 497 km
11 kV 2,521 km 2,126 km 4,647 km
Single wire earth return (SWER) 111 km 111 km
Low voltage (230/400 V) 2,750 km 1,341 km 4,091 km
Customer connections 65,721 50,003 115,724
System maximum demand 213 MW 127 MW 339 MW
Total energy delivered 1,027 GWh 682 GWh 1,710 GWh

Network performance

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Unison reported the normalised performance of the network for the 2014/15 year as follows:[1]

Parameter Value
Napier-Hastings Rotorua & Taupō Total
System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) 89.6 mins 149.2 mins 115.3 mins
System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) 1.74 2.29 1.97

History

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Early in the twentieth century, electricity generation and distribution was managed by local councils or municipal departments. An electricity network was established in Hastings in 1912, with a power house in Eastbourne Street. Following changes to national legislation, the Hawke's Bay Electric Power Board was formed in 1924.[5]

Subsidiaries

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  • Unison Contracting Services Limited
  • Unison Energy Limited
  • Unison Fibre Limited
  • Unison Insurance Limited
  • ETEL Limited
  • RPS Switchgear
  • PBA - The High Voltage Experts

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Annual Report 2015". Unison. 4 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Asset Management Plan 2015" (PDF). Unison. 30 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust". Unison. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. ^ "EDB Information Disclosure - Unison Networks Limited - year ending 31 March 2021" (PDF). 31 August 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Unison's History". Unison.
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