The Waihao Downs Irrigation Scheme is one of the many rural based projects we have been involved with.
The growth in the farming sector and demand for irrigation saw the opening of the Waihao Downs Irrigation Scheme, located about 60km south of Timaru as part of an extension to the Morven Glenavy Ikawai Irrigation scheme.
In order to supply sufficient electricity to the pumps which would push the water to the 32 irrigators across 3500 ha of farms signed up to the scheme, a dedicated extension of the network was needed to be constructed. This was done by Alpine's contracting arm NETcon. The project was completed within an eight week timeframe and under budget.
The extension required about 120 new poles to be installed and wired over a length of 8kms and also included an upgrade to the Bells Pond Substation.
We understand reliable irrigation plays a vital role in the region's economic and social wellbeing. Those behind the success of the scheme have been commended for their tenacity, leadership and drive in pushing this project through in challenging times.
The next irrigation project currently being working through with stakeholders is Hunter Downs Irrigation which will provide a reliable water supply for farms and communities between Waimate and Timaru.
The two schemes are essential to the electrical connectivity in the rural sector through supporting increasing power demand for farm activity.