The Norske Skog Paper Mill, Kawerau, decided to install a new generating station allowing them to utilise the steam from one of the wells currently utilised for the process plant. With the new power station construction in progress, the team at Edison were approached to come up with an 11kV overhead line design that would meet their requirements.
The design was reasonably complex due to the size of the generating station, distribution voltage and the transmission corridor. The overhead line needed to span a very busy corridor of existing buildings and power lines.
Aside from planning challenges, the timeframes for completing this project were also a major constraint. This resulted in a limited number of tender responses, as well as limitations with materials procurement.
Initially, the Edison team came up with three different viable distribution line options for the Norske Skog project team management to consider. A detailed design of the preferred route was then submitted for review by stakeholders in the surrounding area. This resulted in several modifications including realignment of an adjacent 11kV overhead line.
Edison then supported Norske Skog through the tender process by writing the build tender and helping to review the submissions. In order to overcome limitations with materials procurement, Edison drew on existing strong supply relationships to secure the best possible materials for the project within a very short timeframe.
Once the overhead line construction was underway, an Edison representative visited the site weekly to oversee the construction process. This on-site engineering support service was primarily to ensure that the build complied with the agreed design.
Despite the clear challenges at the start of this project along with the short lead-time available, the new Norske Skog overhead line was completed and fully functioning as planned.
Gary Lockyear, Electrical Project Engineer
