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Overview

We are constructing and installing new AC/DC converter equipment at Benmore (South Island) and Haywards (North Island) substations to increase the capacity of the high voltage direct current (HVDC) inter-island link.

The new converter equipment, known as Pole 3, will replace the 45-year old Pole 1 equipment at both substations with state-of-the-art thyristor valve units - similar to the existing Pole 2. The HVDC Pole 3 project, worth up to $672 million, will be completed in two stages resulting in an increase in the capacity of the overall HVDC link to 1000 MW from 2012 and 1200 MW from 2014.

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Haywards Substation HVDC Line Benmore Substation
Region Map. Hayward's Substation Hayward's Substation HVDC Line Benmore Substation Benmore Substation

LATEST NEWS

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Ceremony marks start of electrical construction on Pole 3 project

The Minister of Energy and Resources turned the first sod of the HVDC Pole 3 project.

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Major construction starts on HVDC inter-island link at Benmore substation

New converter stations are being built using state of the art thyristor technology.

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PROJECT TIMELINE

01.01.2010
Civil works starts
01.05.2010
Building construction starts
01.07.2011
Primary plant installed
01.11.2011
Pole 1 decommissioning starts
01.12.2011
Testing
30.04.2012
Pole 3 commissioned
01.01.2014
Statcom commissioned