Dates

• Existence: 1920 - 1963

Biography

The Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board was established in 1920 and amalgamated to become the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board in 1963. Bounded by the Waimakariri and Rakaia and extending from Banks Peninsula to Arthurs Pass, the CCEPB was formed in 1963 by amalgamation of the Springs-Ellesmere Electric Power Board and the Banks Peninsula Electric Power Board. As electricity use increased and customer numbers grew, in 1989, a joint venture between the MED, the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board, Riccarton Electricity and the Port Hills Energy Authority was formed called Southpower. Following government reform in 1998 Southpower sold its electricity retail activities and retained its network activities – renamed Orion New Zealand Limited. Orion remains a community owned entity with two key shareholders – the Christchurch City Council (through its subsidiary Christchurch City Holdings Ltd - 89.3%) and the Selwyn District Council (10.7%).becoming part of Southpower in 1989.