Media release
1 May 2009

Transpower Welcomes Approval Of North Auckland And Northland Project

Transpower has welcomed the Electricity Commission’s final decision to approve the North Auckland and Northland (NAaN) Project, announced today.

The project, worth up to $473 million, involves installing 37 kilometres of 220 kV underground cable from Pakuranga to Penrose, then through the CBD and onto Albany.

Transpower CEO, Dr Patrick Strange says this is good news for Auckland.

“The benefit of this project is it provides an additional and separate line into North Auckland and Northland, reducing the risk of an event taking out electricity to the north of Auckland”, says Dr Strange. “Although this is a very low probability event, the impact would be large.”

“Transpower and lines company Vector have worked together on this project, along with the close cooperation of local councils, so this is a very pleasing result for all involved.”

The cable will provide greater security of supply to Penrose, the CBD, the North Shore, Northland and the Far North. The NAaN project has an anticipated commissioning date of 2014.

Process to date
Transpower first submitted an investment proposal to reinforce supply to North Auckland and Northland in September 2007. The Electricity Commission requested further information from Transpower and an amendment was submitted in May 2008 as a result.

In December 2008, the Electricity Commission announced its draft decision to decline the amended proposal. Transpower presented additional evidence to the Commissioners at a public conference in Auckland on 2 March 2009.

ENDS

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