Power cuts unlikely, but thermal power may be needed, says Brownlee

The southern end of the HVDC link at Benmore, Otago. The front building houses the newer 'Pole 2' while the ageing 'Pole 1' is in the building behind. Photo / Grant Bradley.

Power cuts are unlikely but thermal generation may need to be increased after the Cook Strait power cable failed last night, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said today.

He blamed the previous Labour government for not investing enough in infrastructure and said prices might be affected until the cable is fixed within two to seven days.

"It's going to be particularly galling to see water spilling in the South Island while we are burning thermal in the North Island simply because of dodgy infrastructure has been left in place by a government that had its head firmly in the sand on all this stuff," Brownlee told reporters.

Pole 2 of the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) tripped at 10.30pm. Transpower said a transformer failure appeared to be the reason the link failed.

The 43-year-old Pole 1 link, which is due for replacement, has limited capacity but is relied on to transfer power between the two islands at times of heavy load.

Pole 2 is a relatively new asset, built in 1992.

Brownlee said two options were needed and it was a bad situation to be reliant on Pole 1.

"We've had one option for far too long."

He said in coming days the supply was not as secure as he would like but because of good rainfall there should not be major problems.

"It does mean for the next two to seven days we're going to have somewhat less than secure supply but it shouldn't mean any cuts or other type of activity."

Brownlee said the Government was investing in transmission upgrades but that would take time.

"I do have confidence Transpower can move things along."

Brownlee said Pole 1 was unlikely to be replaced before 2012.

"It's just a matter of getting the gear. If the previous government had been on the case a bit sooner we wouldn't be in this situation."

He said the current problem would not foster confidence in investors thinking about renewable energy in the South Island.

Brownlee said he would ask officials to assess how much reliance would be on thermal generation.

- NZPA