Commission expects North Island grid upgrade proposal

On 30 September 2005, Transpower New Zealand Limited (Transpower) submitted a Grid Upgrade Plan to the Electricity Commission (Commission) which included a proposal for a 'reliability investment' to construct a new 400 kV double circuit line between Whakamaru near Tokoroa, and Otahuhu in South Auckland (Original Proposal).

On 27 April 2006, the Commission gave notice under rule 15.1 of section III of part F of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 that it intended to decline to approve the Original Proposal.  The Commission then commenced a consultation process on the Original Proposal and its draft decision to decline to approve it.

Transpower has advised the Electricity Commission that it intends to provide another proposal for the Electricity Commission’s consideration very soon, and that it no longer wishes to progress the specific 400kV proposal to which to the notice of intention issued on 27 April 2006 relates.

Accordingly, the Board of the Commission has revoked the notice of intention issued on 27 April 2006.

On 31 May 2006, Transpower informed the Commission of its intention to amend the Original Proposal. Transpower also asked the Commission to suspend its consideration of the Original Proposal and the Commission agreed to such suspension.

• Withdrawal of notice of intention  pdf [11 KB]

The Commission understands that Transpower intends to provide another proposal for the Commission’s consideration within the next few days. 

Upon receipt of that proposal, the Commission intends to:

1. provide designated transmission customers and parties affected by the proposal with an opportunity to provide initial written comments on Transpower’s proposal, and to request that the Board consider alternatives to Transpower’s proposal; and
2. confirm the process and timeline the Commission intends to follow to consider Transpower’s proposal.