Clutha–Upper Waitaki Lines Project

Overview

What we're doing

Transpower has proposed upgrading its transmission lines between Roxburgh and the Waitaki Valley by way of:

duplexing (adding another wire to the conductor configuration) the following 220 kV lines:
- Roxburgh–Islington ‘A’ line (as far as Livingstone)
- Aviemore–Livingstone ‘A’ line
- Aviemore–Benmore ‘A‘ line
- Roxburgh to Clyde section of the Roxburgh–Twizel ‘A’ line
thermally upgrading (increasing the operating temperature) the Cromwell to Twizel section of the Roxburgh–Twizel ‘A’ 220 kV line.

Why we're doing it

This project will help transport electricity from planned or potential new generation in the lower South Island region (like the planned wind farm near Lake Mahinerangi). Additionally, during dry years this project will help improve supply security to Southland.