Strengthening Queenstown's power supply

The Frankton Upgrade Project is critical to ensuring Queenstown, Arrowtown, and the surrounding districts have a secure and reliable energy future.

As one of New Zealand's most popular tourism hubs, this region’s growth — both in population and tourism — has driven the need for an upgraded power supply. This project will install new transformers and upgrade infrastructure at the Frankton Substation to meet increasing power demands and address technical challenges. The goal is to support the region’s development while improving the resilience and reliability of the local power network.

Beca’s involvement in the Frankton Upgrade Project focused on increasing the substation’s capacity to meet the region’s growing power needs. Our team was responsible for making sure the upgraded substation could manage the additional power flow required to support the development of new residential areas and the rising demand for electric vehicles and low-carbon heating systems.

A significant challenge was integrating larger transformers into the existing substation layout. This required careful planning and close collaboration with stakeholders to develop solutions that addressed current operational needs while also allowing for future expansion and upgrades.

Beyond the transformer installations, Beca also tackled the site's vulnerability to water runoff. Positioned at the base of a small hill, the Frankton Substation is particularly prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. To mitigate this risk, our team implemented effective flood protection measures, including drainage systems designed to manage and redirect water away from critical infrastructure. These upgrades are essential to securing the substation's continued operation during extreme weather events, which are expected to become more frequent due to climate change.

Collaboration was fundamental to the Frankton Upgrade Project, with Beca working closely with Transpower, Omexom, and other stakeholders from the early design phase through to the start of the main construction works. By fostering open communication and involving all parties in important decisions, we assisted in keeping the project on track and meeting the stringent standards of regulatory organisations and the local community alike.

The Frankton Upgrade Project aims to future-proof the region's energy infrastructure as well as meet Queenstown's present electricity demands. This project supports the region's continuous economic growth by increasing power supply capacity and dependability, as well as New Zealand's broader goal of shifting to renewable energy.