Escaping electricity blackouts in 2024 will need investment now: Transpower

The rise in wind power has difficult consequences to work through. (Image: DepositPhotos)

Thu, 26 Oct 2023

Getting the electricity system through next winter without blackouts will require urgent investment in batteries, demand control and gas-related assets, says national grid operator Transpower.The electricity system operator’s review of winter 2023 said the sector got through the last few months thanks to good management, good luck, ample gas supplies and a wet autumn.However, New Zealand came close to several blackouts as the gap between available generation and demand dropped below Transpower’s comfort levels.Even after the weather...

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Supplier signed up for $450m Cook Strait cable replacement

Transpower has signed up global cable solutions supplier Prysmian for the $450 million job replacing the high voltage direct current submarine electricity cables linking the North and South Islands.The HVDC link, commonly referred to as the Cook Strait cable, is expected to come...

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