KEY POINTS:
Transpower is proposing a $700 million upgrade of the link that carries electricity between the North and South Islands.
The link consists of two separate circuits, each with its own major converter system at each end. The converters are called Pole 1 and Pole 2.
Pole 1 of the HVDC link was stood down in September, with half later returned to service for use in critical periods.
Transpower said today it had submitted an investment proposal with the Electricity Commission to replace Pole 1.
The new pole would be a state of the art thyristor valve unit and would increase the capacity of the overall link to 1000 MW from 2012, and 1200 MW from 2014.
Transpower chief executive Patrick Strange said the link was important for the country as it balanced energy use between islands, which was more sustainable and helped facilitate renewable generation.
"The investment proposal for a new Pole 1, estimated to cost around $700m, follows many months of consultation and engagement with interested parties on the approach, assumptions, methodology and options in investigating the need for a replacement," he said.
Transpower said the current Pole 1 included equipment that was 43-years-old.
Pole 2, which was fully commissioned in 1992, continued to operate reliably and had been able to carry additional electricity since Pole 1 was stood down.
- NZPA
