Unison Networks

{{short description|New Zealand electricity generator company}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Unison Networks

| logo = UnisonNetworks-logo.svg

| logo_size = 150px

| type =

| slogan =

| foundation = 1924

| predecessor = Hawke's Bay Electric Power Board

| location_city = Hastings

| location_country = New Zealand

| area_served = Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Taupō

| key_people = Philip Hocquard (Chair)
Jaun Park (CEO) | industry = Electricity distribution

| parent = Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust

| num_employees =

| revenue = $210m{{cite web| url=http://www.unison.co.nz/tell-me-about/unison-group/publications-disclosures/annual-reports| title=Annual Report 2015| publisher=Unison| date=4 November 2015}}

| operating_income =

| net_income = $27m

| assets = $721m

| equity = $343m

| homepage = {{URL|http://www.unison.co.nz}}

}}

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

Unison owns and manages the electricity lines network in the Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupō regions. The service area covers 12,000 km2.{{cite web| url=http://www.unison.co.nz/docs/default-source/default-document-library/tell-me-about/unison-group/amp/unison-asset-management-plan-2015.pdf| title=Asset Management Plan 2015| publisher=Unison| date=30 March 2015}} The Unison group also provides electrical, civil, and vegetation contracting services; manufactures electrical products; and operates an insurance company.

Ownership

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.{{cite web| url=http://www.unison.co.nz/tell-me-about/unison-group/hawkes-bay-power-consumers'-trust| title=Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust| publisher=Unison| access-date=21 January 2016}}

Distribution network

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=

class="wikitable"
+ Unison Networks Limited network statistics as of 31 March 2021{{cite web|date=31 August 2016|title=EDB Information Disclosure - Unison Networks Limited - year ending 31 March 2021|url=https://www.unison.co.nz/docs/default-source/default-document-library/tell-me-about/unison-group/information-disclosure/unl-information-disclosures-2021---31-august-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=7ef99c0b_4|access-date=2 February 2022}}
rowspan=2| Parametercolspan=3| Value
Napier-HastingsRotorua & TaupōTotal
Total system length5,560 km3,786 km9,347 km
33 kV289 km208 km497 km
11 kV2,521 km2,126 km4,647 km
Single wire earth return (SWER)111 km111 km
Low voltage (230/400 V)2,750 km1,341 km4,091 km
Customer connections65,72150,003115,724
System maximum demand213 MW127 MW339 MW
Total energy delivered1,027 GWh682 GWh1,710 GWh

=Network performance=

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

class="wikitable"
rowspan=2| Parametercolspan=3| Value
Napier-HastingsRotorua & TaupōTotal
System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI)89.6 mins149.2 mins115.3 mins
System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI)1.742.291.97

History

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.{{cite web| url=http://www.unison.co.nz/tell-me-about/unison-group/unison's-history| title=Unison’s History| publisher=Unison}}

Subsidiaries

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

See also

References

{{Reflist}}