Electricity Commission intends to approve $4.1m grid upgrade in Northland
The Electricity Commission has announced it intends to approve a $4.1 million grid upgrade application from Transpower
for Maungatapere substation in Northland, in a decision that will provide a template for fast review of similar projects
in the future.
The proposal, which was submitted by Transpower in December 2008, consists of the installation of a bus coupler and
associated upgrade to the protection equipment at the Maungatapere bus*. Transpower said the Northland region and Rodney
district are vulnerable to a loss of supply if the current 110 kV Maungatapere substation bus trips.
The approval is intended to provide a template for similar bus coupler projects Transpower has planned, allowing the
Commission to review and approve multiple coupler projects as one proposal.
Transpower expects to complete the Maungatapere work by mid 2010.
If requested, the Commission may hold a public conference to hear further submissions on its decision. If no conference
is requested within 10 days, the decision will become final
Details on the proposal and the Commission’s reasons for its intention to approve can be found at: http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/opdev/transmis/gup/2008GUP/maungatapere
ENDS