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Our role
We keep New Zealand’s energy flowing by:
- transporting bulk electricity from where it is generated (by companies like Meridian Energy and Mighty River Power) to cities, towns and some major industrial users (like New Zealand Steel)
- connecting with smaller lines companies (like Vector) who package and deliver that power to the doorsteps of New Zealand’s homes and businesses
- managing New Zealand’s power system (as the System Operator) so that electricity is delivered whenever and wherever it is needed, 24/7.
To do all of this, we have to maintain what we have today and plan for what we might need in the future to meet New Zealand’s energy needs.
Transpower plays a central role in New Zealand’s electricity industry.
Because our transmission network is a natural monopoly our investments are regulated by the Electricity Commission, and our pricing is regulated by the Commerce Commission.
Maintaining our assets
Some of our assets have economic lives of up to 70 years, so we need to look after them to make sure they last the distance.
Maintaining our assets in good condition avoids having to replace them until it is needed, saving Transpower, the electricity industry and New Zealand consumers unnecessary cost.
We have asset maintenance programmes for every type of asset we own – from circuit breakers to tower foundations.
Planning ahead
We plan ahead to ensure the National Grid is able to meet the needs of future generations. We do this using computer programs which simulate how New Zealand’s power system behaves as electricity demand and generation grow.
When a future issue is identified, Transpower goes through a process of:
- identifying options to resolve the issue (for larger projects this will include an extensive public consultation process)
- short-listing the options
- determining a preferred option
- seeking approval to recover the cost of the preferred option (if transmission) from the Electricity Commission (who regulate Transpower’s investments)
- designing the solution and consulting with any people affected
- obtaining Resource Management Act approval to build.
- More information on how we plan
A Guide to Transpower 2009 [757kB]
