Media release 18 December 2009
Transpower welcomes draft approval for Bay of Plenty project
Transpower today welcomed the Electricity Commission’s Notice of Intention to approve the Bay of Plenty Interconnection
Capacity Upgrade project.
The proposed project, worth up to $21.5 million will result in a significant improvement to the security of the
electricity supply to the Bay of Plenty Region. The project involves converting the operating voltage of the main
transmission line supplying the Western Bay of Plenty from the south from 110 kV to 220 kV and installing new
transformers at Kaitimako substation (near Welcome Bay).
As a result of this project more bulk power can be delivered to meet the demand for electricity in the growing Tauranga
and Mt Maunganui areas.
Transpower’s General Manager Grid Development, John Clarke said that the final Grid Upgrade Plan, submitted to the
Electricity Commission in November this year, was the culmination of much work from Transpower, Powerco and local
stakeholders.
“While we used our demand forecasts for the region as a base, we were able to refine them significantly with the help of
Powerco who have a more detailed understanding of the regional dynamics in the Bay of Plenty.
“We also met with the local councils and generation companies to hear their views on the electricity needs of the region
and obtain feedback on our proposed approach. It all helped in putting together a good proposal.
“We’ll continue to work with local stakeholders with further developments to the regional electricity infrastructure in
the Bay of Plenty to enable the grid to meet the requirements of one of New Zealand’s fastest growing regions.”
Transpower will begin work once final approval is received with a view to commissioning the transformers and converted
line in 2011.
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