12 Jul 2023
The stunning scenery of central Otago provides the backdrop for a mini documentary-style film focused on Transpower’s Clutha Upper Waitaki Lines Project (CUWLP) in a new series of Humanising Energy.
The series, which follows a highly successful first set of 24 films, spotlights organisations and communities around the world that are embracing the move towards more renewable sources of energy.
With a film produced for us by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions and presented by the World Energy Council, Humanising Energy is the outcome of organisations with rich 100-year histories shining a light on today’s rapidly changing energy landscape and showcasing clean and inclusive energy transitions around the world.
Completed in 2022, CUWLP was a significant part of Transpower’s support to shift New Zealand to an electrified, low carbon economy. Transpower CEO Alison Andrew said the project was one of many Transpower will undertake to future proof Aotearoa’s electricity grid.
“CUWLP was critical for enabling further renewable generation developments in the region, enhancing the country’s goal of increased electrification to enable the decarbonisation of the economy,” she said.
“We are pleased to be able to share the story of our work and some of the people behind it through this film.”
Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council said: “The debate around clean energy transitions too often talks about grand roadmaps at a macro-level and leaves out the
human element of stories across the world and what people are doing right now. The Humanising Energy series fills this gap by bringing people back to the centre of the conversation and demonstrating how diverse communities are responding to the challenges of climate change.”
CUWLP was the first of many Transpower works expected over the medium term to facilitate the shift to decarbonisation. The total project has nearly doubled the transmission capacity of the network for transfer of electricity northwards (600 MW to 1,100 MW) from central Otago.
This additional capacity is an important enabler for new generation to be built in the area, as this additional generation will need additional transmission capacity to bring it to major population centres to the north. It is also critical for planning for the potential closure of the aluminium smelter at Tiwai, which will significantly reduce local demand for electricity and require the export of surplus energy.
In total, CUWLP strung over 900km of new conductor and installed 27,100 insulators. Three new towers were installed and nearly 300 towers had their foundations strengthened with concrete encasement. Substations at Naseby, Livingstone and Roxburgh had their equipment upgraded to accommodate the additional capacity.
The project also faced a range of challenges, including supply constraints and lockdowns due to COVID-19. However, it was completed ahead of time in just 18 months, came in under budget and with a near perfect safety record for the 245,000 hours worked.
To learn more about Humanising Energy, visit: https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/specials/humanising-energy/
To see the Transpower mini documentary-style film visit: Transpower NZ | Humanising Energy 2.1 | BBC StoryWorks
For further information please contact Diana Price, Head of Communications, 021354026 or email [email protected]
Notes for editors
About the World Energy Council
The World Energy Council is the world's oldest independent and impartial community of energy
leaders and practitioners. Through its Humanising Energy vision, it is working to involve more
people and communities in accelerating clean and just energy transitions in all world regions.
Formed in 1923, the Council convenes diverse energy interests, with over 3,000 member Organisations and a presence in nearly 100 countries (including New Zealand), drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, and civil society.
It effectively collaborates on breakthrough impact programmes and informs local, regional and global energy agendas in support of its enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people.
About Transpower and its role in decarbonisation
Transpower is a state-owned enterprise with a dual role. It owns the national high voltage electricity transmission grid that transports electricity from where it is generated to cities and towns across the country as well directly to some major industrial users. The national electricity transmission grid consists of 170 substations, 25,000 transmission towers, and more than 11,000 kilometres of lines that run the length and breadth of the country across public and private land.
As the electricity System Operator, Transpower is also responsible for managing the real-time power system and operating the wholesale electricity market through which generators sell electricity to the retailers who supply millions of homes and business all around New Zealand. It does not own or operate any electricity generation.
New Zealand aspires to a decarbonised future through electrification. Transpower’s key role in the transition to electrification is to ensure that its infrastructure, systems and people are ready for the expected 70% increase in electricity demand by 2050. As more of New Zealand’s transport and industrial processes are powered by electricity, Transpower will need to connect more generation to meet that demand and increase its capacity to move electricity from where it is made to where it is needed.
To ensure the country can meet the zero-carbon targets the Government has set for 2050, Transpower is working to optimise the transition path for Aotearoa’s energy system. This is a significant transition which will not be without its challenges, but it is vital for our country, our economy and our planet.
This isn’t something Transpower can do alone. By collaborating with the electricity industry, business, iwi, Government, regulators and all New Zealand communities, we can together achieve a zero-carbon energy future.