Compromise on electricity plan probed

A compromise solution is emerging to handle arguments over Transpower's plans for new pylons through the Waikato - and whether they are the best solution to Auckland's power needs.

Electricity Commission chairman Roy Hemmingway has hinted at a twin-track approval process, which could allow Transpower to keep planning for its transmission line through the Waikato while also giving opponents time to come up with alternatives.

Mr Hemmingway needs to give his blessing to Transpower's plans before it can proceed with its $500 million plan for a new 440-kilovolt power line between Whakamaru and Otahuhu.

Mr Hemmingway told the Herald yesterday that such a "multi-staged process" had been considered, but no commitment made.

The commission late last year unveiled its "grid investment test" - which outlines the way it will assess proposals for grid upgrades.

Mr Hemmingway must now weigh up the Transpower plan with other, possibly cheaper or more attractive options.

One criticism of Transpower's own similar process is that any alternative (such as a new power station closer to Auckland, or better efficiency measures) can never be as carefully detailed or planned as the pylon proposal. Mr Hemmingway accepts this as a matter that needs to be resolved.

"How far along does an alternative have to be before it can be relied on?"

The commission's test does not require an alternative to have a "clear proponent" or that it have full resource consent, for instance.

"By the time we get to a point where a transmission line really needs to be committed to or not, then we would expect an alternative to be as far along."

Under a possible multi-stage process, the commission could let Transpower "go forward with a continuing planning and acquisition of easements".

While this went on, Mr Hemmingway and the commission would keep looking closely at possible alternatives.