EC to approve $141m Wairakei Ring grid investment

Media release

Electricity Commission intends to approve $141m Wairakei Ring grid investment

The Electricity Commission has given notice that it intends to approve a $141 million proposal by Transpower to build a new double circuit 220 kV line that will support increased power generation in the central North Island.

The Wairakei Ring is a set of transmission lines north of Lake Taupo linking Wairakei with Whakamaru. These lines connect a number of hydro and geothermal power stations into the national grid, enabling their power to be exported to the major centres of electricity demand. A number of new geothermal power stations are being built or are planned for the area, and a higher capacity line is needed to transport their power to market.

Transpower submitted the proposal to the Commission in December 2008 and it aims to complete the project by mid 2013. The new line would be constructed on the “B” side of the Wairakei Ring and the existing Wairakei to Whakamaru B line would be decommissioned and removed.

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.

If finalised this would bring the total value of transmission projects approved by the Commission to more than $2 billion.

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/wairakei-ring

ENDS

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