- - Transpower publishes Annual Planning Report 2010
- - Studholme–Timaru Split closure
- - New grid upgrade plans
- - Transpower submits investment proposal for new transmission line between Wairakei and Whakamaru
- - Transpower publishes Annual Planning Report 2008
- - Transpower's CommunityCare Fund
- - Keeping the energy flowing newsletter
- - New projects under consultation
- - Grid New Zealand Update: 16 August 2010
- - New project submissions
- - Jargon Buster
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Update: 15 March 2010
Welcome to Transpower’s Grid New Zealand update. This update is designed to provide a monthly summary of activity - consultations, submissions, workshops and key milestones - for projects that have been (or are soon to be) proposed to the Electricity Commission.
Upper North Island Dynamic Power Support Investigation
The economic investigation is complete and the preferred development plan has been selected.
The Investment Proposal submission date is April 2010.
Next milestone: March 2010 – Preparation of an Investment Proposal and board paper.
Lower South Island Facilitating Renewables Project
Investment Proposal submitted 30 November.
Next milestone: April 2010 - EC to publish Notice of Intention following their April Board meeting
Lower South Island Reliability Project
Defining a technically and economically viable set of solutions has taken longer than anticipated, however we are now finalising a short list of options for this project which we expect to publish this month. We had intended to hold a forum in February to discuss the shortlist, but we now want to include discussion of the actual development plans for this shortlist to be more meaningful for attendees. Accordingly, once the development plans are completed (expected within the next 3 weeks) we will reconvene the stakeholder forum to discuss further.
Next milestone: Publish short list of options.
Lower Waitaki Reliability Investigation Project
The short list has been published and work is now underway to define the preferred option and prepare the Investment Proposal.
Next milestone: March – determine the preferred option from the short listed options
April – Submit GUP to EC
Bunnythorpe - Haywards thermal upgrade project
Need analysis and high level economic assessment underway.
Next milestone: Request for Information on potential solutions June 2010.
National Auto Synchronisation Points Investigation Project
Investment Proposal has been submitted.
Next milestone: March - Electricity Commission decision
Upper South Island Grid Upgrade Investigation Project
Transpower is reviewing its earlier investigation to reinforce the grid in the upper South Island. Forum held beginning of March with Upper South Island Lines Companies to discuss load forecasts and implications.
Next milestone: Confirmation of load growth forecasts and need.
Te Kowhai Over Voltage
A draft long list has been prepared that identifies ways for managing high voltages at the Te Kowhai grid exit point. A high level economic assessment has confirmed a small economic benefit.
Next milestone: Project experiencing delays – Request For Information to identify full range of options made available for consultation.
Waikato 110 kV Line Investigation
Condition assessment shows that the conductor on a number of existing 110 kV transmission lines in the Waikato region is due for replacement. Through regional forums Transpower is discussing need and assumptions of the investigation with key stakeholders. From information obtained at the regional forums a revised demand forecast has been developed.
Next milestone: April 2010 - Consult on proposed long list
Opunake - Stratford conductor replacement
Condition assessment report show that conductor replacement is needed. Connected customers have confirmed that increased line capacity is not required.
Next milestone: Form project team and begin long listing of conductor options
Central Park transformer replacement and improving security
Condition assessment has concluded that the two 100 MVA supply transformers at Central Park need to be replaced. System loading and configuration make the replacement difficult.
Next milestone: March 2010 - Submit completed HLR to Wellington Electricity for consideration
Projects in Development
Transpower has a number of other projects in earlier stages of investigation that may or may not proceed to Electricity Commission approval. The projects currently under investigation include:
- Lower North Island Transmission to Enable Renewables study. Investigation study has been completed.
As and when these projects develop, they will be individually treated within this update.