Revised 400kV Transmission Upgrade Proposal Welcome

The New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development has welcomed Transpower's decision to submit a revised North Island 400 kV transmission line proposal.

Transpower has discussed a staged implementation of the original proposal with the Electricity Commission. The revised plan would still run along the corridor originally planned but would operate initially at 200kV rather than 400kV enabling significant short term savings.

"If this enables an early determination of the upgrade path, it represents a very positive development", says NZCID Chief Executive Stephen Selwood.

"A revised proposal has already received general endorsement by energy sector chief executives.

"A decision by the Electricity Commission to decline the initial Transpower proposal ran the alarming risk of a potential stand-off between the organisation's about what exactly is the best way forward.

"Transpower were well advanced in the development of their original proposal and would have found it extremely difficult to significantly change horses mid stream.

"Given the time that it takes to progress controversial infrastructure projects through the RMA approval process, and the relatively short time frame in which the transmission upgrade is required, an early determination of the future direction is of critical importance.

"Hopefully the revised process will enable this to occur", Selwood says.

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