Clutha–Upper Waitaki Lines Project

Overview

What we're doing

We are carrying out a project to upgrade our transmission lines between Roxburgh and the Waitaki Valley by way of:

duplexing (adding another wire to the conductor configuration) the following 220 kV lines:
- Roxburgh–Islington ‘A’ line (as far as Livingstone)
- Aviemore–Livingstone ‘A’ line
- Aviemore–Benmore ‘A‘ line
- Roxburgh to Clyde section of the Roxburgh–Twizel ‘A’ line
thermally upgrading (increasing the operating temperature) the Cromwell to Twizel section of the Roxburgh–Twizel ‘A’ 220 kV line.

In November 2011, we reviewed the delivery schedule of this project in the absence of significant new generation being committed in the lower South Island. From that review we have confirmed that the Roxburgh to Clyde and Aviemore to Livingstone sections of work will progress as planned but that other sections will be the subject of a further review on or before June 2013.

Why we're doing it

This project will help transport electricity from planned or potential new generation in the lower South Island region. Additionally, during dry years this project will help improve supply security to Southland.