Transpower confirms its work plan for the Clutha Upper Waitaki Lines Project (CUWLP) and the development of the new Transmission Pricing Methodology are unaffected by the announcement from Rio Tinto regarding the future of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter. 

Transpower, owner and operator of New Zealand’s National Grid, says both projects will continue as planned. 

The almost $200 million CUWLP is scheduled for completion May 2022 while a new draft Transmission Pricing Methodology must be with the Electricity Authority by 30 June, 2021. 

Transpower will also continue its Net Zero Grid Pathways work determining what further investments will be required to the grid to support the achievement of a net zero carbon economy. 

Transpower will continue to maintain the transmission lines that supply the smelter. 

The company provided its first update on the Clutha Upper Waitaki Lines Project via Facebook earlier this week. 

“Work is underway on our existing transmission lines between Roxburgh and Livingstone to allow more electricity to be carried north. It is a big part of Transpower’s support to transform New Zealand to a low-carbon economy. 

“There are a few parts to this project - our tower foundation strengthening crews have been hard at work since mid-February 2020, and this week our specialist wiring crews started work between Earnscleugh and Roxburgh. 

“They are adding a second wire to the existing line (duplexing). Crews have come from around the country and are staying in Alexandra. 

“We plan to complete the whole project by May 2022 and will post key updates as we go.”

Transpower crews are currently working between Earnscleugh and Roxburgh, with workers from across the country housed in Alexandra. 

In a statement on the company’s website, Transpower says the project will boost capacity between Clutha and Upper Waitaki and improve supply to Southland. 

“We need to continually operate, maintain and develop New Zealand's transmission network – the National Grid – to ensure we meet the ongoing electricity needs of New Zealanders,” the statement says. 

“The Clutha Upper Waitaki Line Project increases capacity on some of our lines between Clutha and the Upper Waitaki Valley to improve electricity supply to Southland during dry periods, and to allow additional generation (should it become available) to be exported from Southland.

“The project involves five components with a total approved cost of $197m.  

“The first two components (which keep Southland secure during dry periods) were delivered in 2015 and 2016 at a cost of around $38 million.”

“Following commencement of enabling works, initially funded by Contact Energy and Meridian Energy, we have made a decision to continue with our work to complete the remaining works for this project:

“Duplexing of the Roxburgh–Livingstone section of the Roxburgh–Islington 220 kV line; Thermal upgrade of the Cromwell–Twizel section of the Roxburgh–Twizel 220 kV line.

“With the recent decision being made by the owners of the aluminium smelter we are now targeting completion by May 2022.”

On the company’s website, it states it does not expect any impact to local supply during the works period. 

“We do not expect the local power supply to be affected during this project. 

“We will do our best to keep any other disruptions to a minimum and to keep you well informed of what we're up to.”

In an email received by The Central App, Transpowers notified residents of Naseby the power will be classified as “N”, meaning there will be no backup supply to Naseby in the event of the remaining circuit tripping. 

The period stated in the letter is from Mid-January 2021, to May 2022. 

The letter states the company is exploring options which could enable the town’s supply to be restored within 15 minutes manually. 

However it says in the “very unlikely” event of a significant fault, such a tower failure, the town could be without power for up to 96 hours to enable the installation of an emergency structure. 

It also says that in the event of an even more significant event , such as station equipment failure, it may take up to 14 days. 

For information on Transpower and their planned works, click here.

Images courtesy Transpower.