The Commission is required to publish a Statement of Opportunities (SOO) as part of its duties in overseeing aspects of transmission investment. Rule 9.1.2 states that the purpose of a SOO is to enable identification of potential opportunities for efficient management of the grid, including investment in upgrades and transmission alternatives.  In practice, a SOO also has a wider role to play in informing stakeholders about possible future developments in the power system.

The 2008 SOO did not contain specific information relating to emerging technologies (for instance, the potential for marine and solar energy). The Commission considers that it is important to understand the potential impact of such technologies on the New Zealand electricity market. Accordingly, a work programme has been initiated to look further into emerging technologies and their effects.

The programme will also include sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of key drivers, such as carbon price on the SOO scenarios.

This work will have multiple benefits, such as providing the Commission with information about the status and impacts of emerging technologies, and giving industry participants and other governmental agencies a better perspective of the implications of the adoption of new technologies on the New Zealand energy market. It may also contribute to the development of the next SOO.

Below is the list of issues that have been studied so far:

Technologies

• Development of Marine Energy in New Zealand
• Cost estimates for thermal peaking plant pdf [229 KB]

Key drivers

• Gas for electricity generation: availability and price forecast
  

It is not anticipated that there will be formal consultation on this work. Feedback from participants is welcome at any time and, if relevant, will be taken into consideration. Some work published on this webpage may be included in subsequent Grid Planning Assumptions (GPAs), and in that case would be consulted on during their development.