This substation was the Manawatu Oroua Electric Power Board’s first environmentally designed plant in Palmerston North. It was opened by the Board’s Chairman, Mr Mel Waters, on February 9 1981. The small site is surrounded by a high wall so that only the tips of the low pylons carrying the 33,000 volt cables can be seen; eventually to be hidden by trees. The building cost $500,000 to design and build, including $15,000 for disguising the pylons. The station reduces 33,000 volts to 11,000 volts for distribution to housing and industry in the north-western corner of Palmerston North.