No towers will be built for Transpower's planned grid upgrade
in Central Otago.
Transpower grid development manager Tim George told the
Environment Court's Mahinerangi wind farm hearing this week
Transpower had started an investigation into upgrading the
line, which runs from Roxburgh through Naseby into the
Waitaki Valley.
Contact Energy had wanted conditions placed on consents for
TrustPower's Mahinerangi wind farm to overcome constraints at
a transformer at the Roxburgh dam substation, and the 220kv
line from Roxburgh through Naseby and Waitaki Valley.
Presenting evidence, Mr George said a working group had
started looking at the lower South Island link. With power
coming on line from the Mahinerangi wind farm and Project
Hayes, doubts had been raised whether the lines had the
capacity to get all the power north.
Mr George hoped to have the project planning and the economic
justification completed and lodged with the Electricity
Commission by the end of the year.
He expected the commission to take four to five months to
decide on approving the upgrade. He estimated the project
could cost about $30 million and carry about 200MW. If
approved, work on the project could take between 18 months
and two years.
A Transpower spokeswoman confirmed no new towers would be
built if the upgrade went ahead.
The ground where the towers sit would have to be checked to
see if it was secure enough to carry extra wires.
The increased power load through to the Waitaki Valley would
be carried by duplexing wires hanging off existing towers.
New towers to upgrade the transmission link from Whakamuru,
in Waikato, to Otahuhu, in Auckland, have caused much
controversy.
More than 1100 submissions have been made to a board of
inquiry, which is hearing the matter.
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