This page includes the Commission's final decision in respect of Transpower's North Island Grid Upgrade Proposal (Proposal) and various documents that the Electricity Commission (Commission) considered in making its decision.

Background

Public conference (May 2007)

On 31 January 2007, the Commission issued a notice of its intention to approve the Proposal in accordance with rule 15.1 of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 (Rules). In accordance with rule 15.2, a number of persons requested that the Commission hold a public conference in relation to the Proposal. The purpose of a public conference is to provide interested persons with a final opportunity for comment on the Proposal. The Commission agreed to hold a public conference.  The public conference was held in May.

Additional information received following public conference (June 2007)

During the public conference, a number of presenters indicated that they would provide further information relating to their oral submissions made at the conference. Information from the following parties was received:

• Auckland Federated Farmers pdf [9 KB]

• Perry Group Ltd pdf [11 KB]

• Hunua and Paparimu Valley Residents’ Associationpdf [24 KB]

• Regis Park Stage 2 Limited
  

• Additional information pdf [15 KB]
• Manukau rural strategy interim decision pdf [305 KB]
• Indicative concept for rural strategy pdf [4649 KB]
• Commercially sensitive and confidential information provided by Regis Park Stage 2 Ltd has not been published

• Kate Brennan and Geoff Copstick
• Further information on submission pdf [28 KB]
• Capital cost skew.xls [13KB]

• Major Electricity Users' Group (MEUG)
• MEUG's response to Commission’s 22 May 2007 questions pdf [36 KB]
• MEUG’s Cost summary.xls [13KB]

Additional advice sought (June 2007)

In light of the issues raised in submissions, the Commission engaged a specialist property valuer (Graeme Horsley Limited), to review the earlier work of The Property Group and consider property related concerns raised in submissions. 

• Graeme Horsley report pdf [237 KB]

Commission requests for further information and Transpower responses (May 2007– June 2007)

• Commission’s request for information 8 May 2007 pdf [14 KB]
• Commission’s request for information 5 June 2007 pdf [366 KB]
• Transpower’s 11 June 2007 letter responding to 8 May 2007 and 5 June 2007 requests for information pdf [349 KB]

• Commission’s invitation to reply to Commissioner Pinnell 22 May 2007 questions pdf [77 KB]
• Transpower’s response to Commissioner Pinnell 22 May 2007 questions

• Covering letter  pdf [29 KB]
• Response to Commissioner Pinnell’s questions of 22 May 2007 pdf [46 KB]

Final summary of further work (July 2007)

The Commission has also prepared a short document that summarises its final further work completed since the public conference.

• Final summary of further work pdf [97 KB]

This document is additional to the summary of further work pdf [94 KB] published on 15 May 2007.

Final decision

The Commission has decided (by a majority) to confirm its decision to approve the Proposal. 

The documents below set out the final decision of the Commission (by majority) to confirm its approval of Transpower’s North Island Grid Upgrade Proposal.

• Overview document pdf [52 KB]

This document explains key aspects of the context and background to the decision, as well as the decision itself. It is not intended to be comprehensive and it is provided for information only.

• Final decision on North Island Grid Upgrade Proposal pdf [314 KB]

This document sets out in detail the reasons for the Commission's decision to confirm its approval of the Proposal.

• Minority opinion

Commissioner Pinnell has confirmed his dissent from the majority and has provided an updated minority opinion.

• Commissioner Pinnell’s updated minority opinion  pdf [120 KB]