Ceremony marks start of electrical construction on Pole 3 project
13 May 2010
From left: Hon Gerry Brownlee, Dr Patrick Strange and Wayne Brown.
The Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon Gerry Brownlee, turned the first sod of the HVDC Pole 3 project at a ceremony at Haywards substation on 19 April. The event marked the start of construction of the critical electrical systems and buildings of the new Pole.
The HVDC Pole 3 project, worth up to $672 million, will increase the capacity of the HVDC link to 1000 MW in 2012 and 1200 MW in 2014. The project consists of building new converter stations at Benmore and Haywards substations and will replace the 45-year old Pole 1 equipment.
Hon Gerry Brownlee said that the Pole 3 project is an important step in increasing security of electricity supply.
"Pole 3 is one part of a national investment programme to reinforce the national grid.
"This new link will enable more renewable electricity generation to supply the North Island while also securing South Island demand in dry years."
Transpower's Chairman Wayne Brown, said the project would help to strengthen the backbone of the National Grid.
"It will enable investment in renewables and provide generators with greater options for siting new generation," said Mr Brown.
"Like all infrastructure projects, this won't happen overnight. Planning has been underway since 2005 with the project being approved by the Electricity Commission in September 2008. We have worked hard to get this project up and running, ready to meet the commissioning date of 2012.
"We have many talented and dedicated people, committed contractors and the support of our Minister, local government and the industry to deliver an essential piece of infrastructure to support our energy needs for the next 40 years."
Site improvements, being undertaken by Brian Perry Civil, have been underway since January and Siemens, the principal contractor on the project, will shortly start construction of the new converter stations at each end of the link. From May 2010 to July 2011, the valve hall and control room buildings will be constructed at both Haywards and Benmore Substations. Mainzeal, the subcontractor to Siemens, will construct the buildings.
Primary plant will be installed between January and December 2011, consisting of the major pieces of equipment that are needed to convert electricity. Three thyristor valves that weigh 17 tonnes each will be suspended from the ceiling of the 19 metre high valve hall. Six metre long bushings transfer electricity between the valves and the outside converter transformers, which weigh up to 330 tonnes each.
Pole 3 will be fully commissioned in April 2012, followed by the commissioning of a Statcom in January 2014 that will help regulate the voltage of the AC network in the Wellington region and lift the north flow transfer capability of the bi-pole link to 1200 MW. Pole 1 will be decommissioned in late 2011.
