Media release

23 November 2005

Commission progresses grid upgrade consultation

The Electricity Commission is hosting a third series of public meetings in the Waikato and South Auckland regions from 7 to 13 December 2005. The meetings are part of the Commission’s consultation process for considering alternatives to Transpower’s proposed transmission grid upgrade between Whakamaru and Otahuhu.

The commission wants to ensure a reliable electricity supply to Auckland and North Auckland and is considering alternatives to a transmission upgrade before making a decision on whether to approve Transpower’s proposals.

The commission has made significant progress in its analysis of ideas from more than 130 submissions received in July 2005 in response to its consultation paper, Alternatives to Transpower’s Proposed Whakamaru-Otahuhu Transmission Upgrade. Members of the public and interested parties are invited to attend the meetings to hear about the commission’s progress on which alternatives it will compare with Transpower’s proposal.

The submissions and a summary of the commission’s next steps in the consultative and review process are available on the web at: http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/consultation/transaltern

Meeting venues, dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, December 7:
South Waikato and Taupo, Tokoroa Council Chamber, Tokoroa, 12 noon

Matamata-Piako and Hauraki, Senior Citizens’ Association Hall, Morrinsville, 7pm

Thursday, December 8:
Waipa, Cambridge Raceway, Taylor St, Cambridge, 12 noon

Waikato, Matahuru Hall, Storey Rd, Matahuru, 7pm

Monday, December 12:
Franklin, Hunua Hall, Hunua, 7.30pm

Tuesday, December 13:
Manukau, Whitford Hall, Whitford, 7pm

The Electricity Commission is a Crown entity set up in 2003 under the Electricity Act to oversee New Zealand’s electricity industry and markets.

ENDS

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