Annual Planning Report 2012 - Transpower

Chapter 3: Existing National GridProject nameExpectedcompletion dateLower South Island Reliability Project 2012-17Clutha–Upper Waitaki Lines Project 12013-TBCMasterton supply transformer replacement 2012Tarukenga interconnecting transformer replacement 2013A third 220/66 kV transformer at Bromley 2013Opunake–Stratford A reconductoring 2013New grid exit point at Piako 2013New grid exit point at Hobson Street 2013New grid exit point at Wairau Road 2013Stoke supply transformer replacement 2014Notes1. Some components of this project will be subject to review by June 20133.2 Load and generationNew Zealand’s transmission network is regarded as narrow and longitudinal, withareas of demand (load) commonly some distance from the areas of significantgeneration. Consequently, the transmission network is essential in complementinggeneration to bring the power to where it is needed.A particular feature of the National Grid, and a key benefit for a sustainable NewZealand, is its ability to provide New Zealanders with access to renewablegeneration. Typically, the remote areas of generation connected by the National Gridare renewable (e.g. hydro in the Waitaki Valley, wind in the Tararuas, and hydro andgeothermal in the Central North Island).Figure 3-3 shows a simplified map of load, generation, and the transmissionnetwork’s grid backbone. For more information see Chapter 4 for the demandassumptions, Chapter 5 for the generation assumptions and Chapter 6 for thetransmission backbone.282012 Annual Planning Report © Transpower New Zealand Limited 2012. All rights reserved.