Supporting the energy transition for the region
Murihiku Regeneration is committed to supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation efforts as priority focus areas within Murihiku -Southland. We already have key work underway, which includes:
• Supporting the government led future clean energy opportunities; and
• Our own kaupapa to ensure we bring in new renewable energy projects that support economic and social development.
We have been actively engaged with a number of key energy /electricity stakeholders around opportunities and issues related to this overall kaupapa/ programme. In addition, we have produced a high level Energy Transition Plan to support this work.
About the Development Plan
Transpower and PowerNet have released a Regional Development Plan. Transpower and PowerNet are committed to facilitating an optimised transition path for decarbonisation in the Southland region. As the grid owner and operator, Transpower’s role is to understand how the transmission network might need to change to accommodate and enable this new energy future and support electrification at pace.
PowerNet as the distribution network operator for the region works together with Transpower to ensure the delivery of a safe, efficient and reliable supply of electricity to the homes and businesses of the Southland region. The Southland region is primed for decarbonisation. Various businesses, community groups, iwi, local and central government are looking to capitalise on the region’s abundant renewable energy resources, both to increase renewable generation and support the decarbonisation of existing industries, alongside supporting potential new growth.
Why the Need for A Development Plan
Transpower and PowerNet are receiving connection requests and supporting development activities Transpower has received 23 enquiries for new generation projects in the Southland and Southern Otago regions totalling over 4,400 MW. Almost 1,200MW has progressed beyond the enquiry stage. They have also received 18 enquiries for potential non-generation connections, such as load connections for new electrified process heat 10 of these are embedded within PowerNet’s network. We are also having ongoing conversations with significant new industrial customers about their electricity load requirements for projects covering data centres, hydrogen production and process heat.
This is combined with the potential existing and future developments and connection opportunities that will contribute to jobs, economic development and support the energy transition.
Transpower and PowerNet have recently collaborated to enable added capacity at Transpower’s Gore Substation to enable electrification at Mataura Valley Milk and connection of the first stage of Kaiwera Downs windfarm. There is enough new load and generation that we know of that is looking to connect to the national grid in Southland for the need for an integrated Regional Development Plan. The lead times associated with electricity transmission and distribution investment can be significant and, considering the accelerating decarbonisation within this region, we want to increase our understanding and visibility of regional goals and aspirations.
The Murihiku Southland Electrification Development Plan is the result of local stakeholders, developers and large industrial and commercial users of energy identifying where the use of electricity would increase, and Transpower and PowerNet working together to enable that.
The plan has mapped out six possible infrastructure investments that will support a future that runs more and more on electricity. Murihiku Southland stakeholder feedback confirmed that there are plans to decarbonise, and we also know that new renewable generation is in the pipeline. As these plans become confirmed and are delivered, this plan will look to deliver a customer-informed network capacity plan that enables electricity to get to where it’s needed. The Murihiku Southland Electrification Development plan includes short-term upgrades to both companies’ networks and longer-term projects that have been identified for further investigation.
The first of the short-term upgrades is a special protection scheme on Transpower’s 110 kV transmission lines linking Gore with Roxburgh and Brydone. This project, planned for delivery in 2025, will automatically monitor and manage electricity flows.
Transpower’s two short-term, tactical upgrades are:
- Implementing Special Protection Schemes at regional substations
- Undertaking a Tactical Thermal Upgrade of the Invercargill–North Makarewa circuit to increase capacity
PowerNet’s two major projects are:
- Undertaking a 66kV network development to the Awarua Region
- Increasing transferable load between Invercargill and North Makarewa via the 66kV network.
Transpower’s two major projects for further investigation are:
- Duplexing the North Makarewa to Three Mile Hill line
- Upgrading or developing grid exit points, for example at Edendale.
View the Murihiku Southland Electrification Development Plan. (PDF, 9.83 MB)
The transmission network in Murihiku-Southland and Southern Otago
Key Contact Information:
• Transpower – [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
• Murihiku Regeneration – [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]