When George Drysdale turned up at Firstlight Network in early 2024 to take up the role of Manager, he was immediately impressed with the unique connection the electricity distribution network had with the Gisborne, Tairawhiti and Wairoa communities.
“I quickly realised how tirelessly the Firstlight Network team and its contractors – including Electrinet - all work together throughout extreme weather events to restore the power and keep it on,” said George.
“I also saw firsthand the vital role the Firstlight team plays in the region’s recovery efforts alongside Tairāwhiti Civil Defence, the community and iwi groups across Tairāwhiti and Wairoa. Everyone has also shown incredible resilience over this time.
“It's easy to take for granted the lights that illuminate our homes, the appliances that make our lives more convenient, and the energy that drives our local economy, so when this stops, it has a huge impact on peoples’ lives and wellbeing,” added George.
Wairoa is George’s hometown so coming back to the region after 28 years working in the electricity sector, and creating resilience and connectedness across the Tairawhiti and Wairoa communities is important to him and the Firstlight team.
“Regional energy resilience is our focus and we’re committed to ensuring Firstlight Network continues to contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of the region now and in the future.”
The company has further accelerated its asset renewal programme including Transformers, Circuit Breakers, Ring Main Units, pole replacements and the 110KV towers across the region.
“Trees falling through lines is a major cause of power outages, both in Tairāwhiti and across New Zealand and we’ve targeted a 5% reduction in vegetation-related outages each year,” George explained.
“In Mahia, we’re undertaking a multi-year plan to support the expansion and power reliability in the area. A transformer has been purchased along with equipment to establish a new zone substation.
“In Wairoa we’re planning to reconfigure both the Wairoa and Kiwi substations to increase network diversity during severe weather events to improve resilience and network security which will take place in several stages over the next 10 years,” said George.
Other potential opportunities include a capacitor bank upgrade at the Gisborne substation and a thermal upgrade of the transmission lines to maintain future growth demands.
Firstlight is not only focused on keeping the power on, but also strengthening social connectedness - with whanau and friends at home and out and about.
“We’re proud sponsors of the Ngāti Porou East Coast rugby union’s Hamoterangi senior wahine team, and we continue to support a range of environmental projects as well as sponsoring the community Christmas lights,” said George.
Looking to the future, Firstlight will be focusing on the transition to a low carbon energy and preparing for the increasing electrification of transport and heat, and the development of solar and other distributed generation.
George said, “Firstlight Network is part of Clarus, and as part of a larger group of energy companies, we have the capital and capabilities to ensure we can invest for the future.
“We’re making sure that Firstlight Network is well prepared to play its part in powering a strong economy and a resilient network to ensure supply security, enable decarbonisation and maintain energy affordability.”