# MainPower

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MainPower
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MainPower.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MainPower
> Source revision: 1356853629
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

New Zealand electricity distribution  company

MainPower Industry Electricity distribution Predecessor North Canterbury Electric Power Board Founded 1928 Headquarters Rangiora , New Zealand Key people Tony King (Chair) Andy Lester (CE) Parent MainPower Trust Website www.mainpower.co.nz

**MainPower New Zealand Limited** is an [electricity distribution](/source/Electric_power_distribution) company, based in [Rangiora](/source/Rangiora), [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand), responsible for electricity distribution to nearly 42,000 customers in the [Canterbury](/source/Canterbury%2C_New_Zealand) region north of the [Waimakariri River](/source/Waimakariri_River).[1] MainPower was formed in 1993,[2] after the Energy Companies Act 1992 required the North Canterbury Electric Power Board to reform into a commercial power company. More reforms in 1998 required electricity companies nationally to split their lines and retail businesses, with MainPower retaining its lines business and selling its retail business to [Contact Energy](/source/Contact_Energy).

MainPower has initiated a number of local generation projects, including the [Mount Cass Wind Farm](/source/Mount_Cass_Wind_Farm)[3] and [Cleardale Hydro Power Station](/source/Little_River_(New_Zealand)#Power_Station).[4]

## Electricity network

MainPower has a total service area of 11,180 square kilometres (4,320 sq mi), covering the [Waimakariri](/source/Waimakariri_District), [Hurunui](/source/Hurunui_District) and [Kaikōura](/source/Kaik%C5%8Dura) districts. The area includes the towns of [Kaiapoi](/source/Kaiapoi), [Rangiora](/source/Rangiora), [Oxford](/source/Oxford%2C_New_Zealand), [Woodend](/source/Woodend%2C_New_Zealand), [Pegasus](/source/Pegasus_Town), [Amberley](/source/Amberley%2C_New_Zealand), [Waipara](/source/Waipara), [Culverden](/source/Culverden), [Cheviot](/source/Cheviot%2C_New_Zealand), [Hanmer Springs](/source/Hanmer_Springs) and [Kaikōura](/source/Kaik%C5%8Dura).[1]

MainPower takes electricity from [Transpower](/source/Transpower_New_Zealand)'s national grid at five grid exit points (GXPs): Kaiapoi, Southbrook, Ashley, Waipara and Culverden. It operates 4,873 km of circuits[1] at 66,000 and 33,000 volts for subtransmission, and 22,000 and 11,000 volts for distribution. As is standard in New Zealand, electricity is delivered to homes at 230/400 volts (phase-to-neutral/phase-to-phase).

In 2011, MainPower purchased the Kaikōura GXP and Culverden to Kaikōura 66 kV transmission line from Transpower. In 2015, MainPower completed works to up-rate the network west of Rangiora towards Oxford to 66/22 kV (from 33/11 kV). Other projects in progress include upgrading the 33 kV subtransmission line between Cheviot and Kaikōura to 66 kV, and preparing for a new "Rangora East" GXP between Rangiora and Woodend to supply Woodend and Pegasus, offloading Kaiapoi GXP.

MainPower New Zealand Limited network statistics for the year ending 31 March 2024[5] Parameter Value Regulatory asset base $328 million Line charge revenue $60.5 million Capital expenditure $37.3 million Operating expenditure $24.7 million Customer connections 44,918 Energy delivered 640 GWh Peak demand 117 MW Total line length 5,234 km Distribution and low-voltage overhead lines 3,668 km Distribution and low-voltage underground cables 1,191 km Subtransmission lines and cables 390 km Poles 56,430 Distribution transformers 8,493 Zone substation transformers 24 Average interruption duration (SAIDI) 937 minutes Average interruption frequency (SAIFI) 2.88

The high SAIDI and SAIFI in the 2023/24 years is primarily attibuted to an extreme windstorm in October 2023.[6]

## Power stations

Mainpower developed the proposed [Mount Cass Wind Farm](/source/Mount_Cass_Wind_Farm), obtaining resource consent for the project in 2011.[7] After a funding partnership with [Marlborough Lines Limited](/source/Marlborough_Lines_Limited) fell through in 2024,[8] Mainpower sold the project to [Yinson Renewables](/source/Yinson_Holdings) in December 2025.[9]

### Operational

Name Type Location Capacity (MW) Annual generation (average GWh) Commissioned Cleardale Hydro Mount Hutt 1 2010

### Proposed / under construction

Name Type Location Projected capacity (MW) Status Thongcaster Rd Solar Oxford, Canterbury 7.3 Under construction

## See also

- [Electricity sector in New Zealand](/source/Electricity_sector_in_New_Zealand)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-About_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-About_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-About_1-2) ["About MainPower"](http://www.mainpower.co.nz/about-mainpower/). MainPower.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["View All Details"](https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/568270). *app.companiesoffice.govt.nz*. Retrieved 2022-09-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Mt Cass Wind Farm"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111004184213/http://www.localgeneration.co.nz/mt-cass-wind-farm/). Archived from [the original](http://www.localgeneration.co.nz/mt-cass-wind-farm/) on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Hydro Generation"](http://www.mainpower.co.nz/generation/hydro-generation). *www.mainpower.co.nz*. Retrieved 2018-03-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Disclosure2_5-0)** ["Performance summaries for electricity distributors – Year to 31 March 2024"](https://comcom.govt.nz/regulated-industries/electricity-lines/electricity-distributor-performance-and-data/performance-summaries-for-electricity-distributors). Commerce Commission. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Thousands of homes reconnected but some remain without electricity"](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350092265/thousands-homes-reconnected-some-remain-without-electricity). *www.thepress.co.nz*. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 2025-09-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Paul Rogers (2 April 2009). ["Resource Consent Application - Report and Determination by Hearing Commissioners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120415033934/http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/assets/Page-Photos/Services/Mt-Cass-Wind-Farm-Decision-Dec-2011.pdf) (PDF). Hurunui District Council. Archived from [the original](http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/assets/Page-Photos/Services/Mt-Cass-Wind-Farm-Decision-Dec-2011.pdf) (PDF) on 15 April 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Mt Cass Wind Farm exploring next steps"](https://www.mtcasswindfarm.co.nz/mt-cass-wind-farm-exploring-next-steps/). Mt Cass Wind Farm. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Yinson buys 94.6MW Mt Cass wind farm"](https://renews.biz/106052/yinson-buys-946mw-mt-cass-wind-farm/). ReNews. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.mainpower.co.nz)

- [MainpowerNZ](https://www.facebook.com/mainpowerNZ-1494774184171791) on [Facebook](/source/Facebook_(identifier)) [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

v t e Electricity companies in New Zealand Generation Contact Energy Eastland Generation Far North Solar Farm Genesis Energy King Country Energy Lodestone Energy Manawa Energy Mercury Energy Meridian Energy New Zealand Energy Pioneer Energy Nova Energy Top Energy Transmission Transpower Distribution North Island Centralines Counties Power Electra Firstlight Network Horizon Energy Distribution The Lines Company Northpower Powerco Scanpower Top Energy Unison Networks Vector Waipā Networks WEL Networks Wellington Electricity South Island Alpine Energy Aurora Energy Buller Electricity EA Networks Electricity Invercargill MainPower Marlborough Lines Nelson Electricity Network Tasman Network Waitaki Orion OtagoNet The Power Company Westpower Retail Contact Energy Ecotricity Electra Energy Electric Kiwi Energy Direct Energy Online Flick Electric Co Genesis Energy Giving Energy Lodestone GLOBUG King Country Energy megaEnergy Mercury Energy Meridian Energy Nova Energy Opunake Hydro P2power Paua to the People Payless Energy Powershop Pulse Energy Regulation and operation Commerce Commission Electricity Authority Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Transpower Electricity sector in New Zealand List of power stations in New Zealand

v t e Waimakariri District, New Zealand Populated places; seat: Rangiora • Waimakariri District Council Kaiapoi-Woodend Ward Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Sub-Division Clarkville Kaiapoi Kairaki Ohapuku The Pines Beach Flaxton Tuahiwi Woodend-Sefton Sub-Division Coldstream Pegasus Saltwater Creek Sefton Waikuku Waikuku Beach Woodend Woodend Beach Oxford-Ohoka Ward Ohoka-Swannanoa Sub-Division Eyreton Eyrewell Mandeville North Ohoka Swannanoa West Eyreton Wetheral Wilsons Siding Oxford Sub-Division Ashley Gorge Bennetts Bexley Burnt Hill Carleton Coopers Creek Gammans Creek Glenburn Glentui Horrellville Lees Valley Oxford Okuku Range Rockford Starvation Hill The Warren View Hill Okuku Hills Rangiora-Ashley Ward Ashley Sub-Division Ashley Loburn Loburn North Okuku Whiterock Cust Fernside Springbank Summerhill Rangiora Sub-Division Rangiora Southbrook Schools Primary Ashgrove Ashley Clarkville Cust Fernside Kaiapoi Borough Kaiapoi North Loburn North Loburn Ohoka Pegasus Bay (formerly Waikuku) Rangiora Borough Sefton Southbrook St Joseph's St Patrick's Swannanoa Tuahiwi West Eyreton Woodend View Hill Secondary Kaiapoi High Karanga Mai Young Parents' College Rangiora High Area Oxford Area Rangiora New Life Disestablished Primary Okuku Whiterock Facilities Dudley Park, Rangiora Mandeville Sports Centre Rangiora Recreation Ground Rangiora Airport Sports clubs Rangiora AFC Waimakariri United Electorates Historic Ashley Hurunui Kaiapoi Rangiora Current Kaikōura Waimakariri Member of Parliament for the Kaikōura electorate N Doug Kidd (1996–99) N Lynda Scott (1999–2005) N Colin King (2005–14) N Stuart Smith (2014–present) for the Waimakariri electorate L Mike Moore (1996–99) L Clayton Cosgrove (1999–2011) N Kate Wilkinson (2011–14) N Matt Doocey (2014–present) Mayor Trevor Inch (1989–95) Janice Skurr (1995–2001) Jim Gerard (2001–07) Ron Keating (2007–10) David Ayers (2010–2019) Dan Gordon (2019–present) Bodies of water Ashley Gorge Ashley River / Rakahuri Cam River / Ruataniwha Cust River Glentui River Kaiapoi River Karetu River Lilburne River Makerikeri River Okuku River Pegasus Bay Waimakariri Gorge Waimakariri River Ashley Estuary Transportation State Highway 71 Main North Line Eyreton Branch Oxford Branch Public transport in Christchurch Go Bus Christchurch Other MainPower Compass FM 104.9 bold - main town; bold & italics - minor town; normal text - locality; italics - minor locality

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MainPower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MainPower) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MainPower?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.