Regional lines company, WEL Networks, is installing "smart boxes" for approximately 11,000 consumers in the Raglan, Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Maramarua areas of its electricity distribution region.
The move is to provide customers a more efficient and reliable electricity supply.
The first of the new intelligent devices were installed beforeChristmas in Raglan, with the remainder of smart boxes being installed in the other rural areas during the first half of this year.
The smart boxes, installed at no cost to consumers, will allow real time management of power consumption through a new wireless communications system - being coined the "WELconnect" system.
Rollout of the WELconnect system will give benefits and savings to both WEL and its customers through more efficient use of power supply. The smart boxes will be able to transmit power consumption information to WEL Networks to make sure the most cost effective supply of electricity is delivered.
WEL Networks CEO Julian Elder says the company has been looking at ways to progressively reduce costs and make our network more efficient and reliable.
"At the end of the day we want the consumer to benefit; WEL wants to be in the position where we know early and proactively about issues with supply, rather than waiting for someone to phone us.
"That will be a major benefit of the WELconnect system."
He says as full advantage is taken of the WELconnect technology consumers will have a better understanding of what power they are using because they will be able to see it as it happens.
WEL is looking to extend the system throughout its distribution area within the next few years.
