Last updated: 14 Feb 2025

What are we doing?
Transpower and Powerco are working together to plan and deliver the essential upgrades on the electricity network that are needed to enable the Western Bay of Plenty region to continue to flourish, now and into the future. This is a long-term programme with delivery spanning over the next 10 years.
Transpower and Powerco have been meeting with councils, other infrastructure operators, agencies and major electricity users to share our approach and gain an understanding of the region’s needs and aspirations. We are planning more engagement and aim to meet with interested iwi and community groups as the plan takes shape. We value the interest and feedback we have received so far, which has helped us better understand the aspirations and future plans in the western Bay of Plenty.
Why are we doing it?
The Western Bay of Plenty region is growing. Its electricity infrastructure needs to grow too, to ensure power is available when and where people and businesses need it.
Timeline and updates
Transpower has submitted a proposal to the Commerce Commission to increase electricity supply to the western Bay of Plenty.
We've produced a summary document on what is in the proposal, that you can view here.
Have a look here for more detail on the proposal we have submitted.
Our media release announcing the release of the shortlist is available here.
More information
We invite anyone who would like to receive updates about the Development Plan to join our e-newsletter mailing list. Please enter your details here to receive this newsletter from Transpower and Powerco. Our most recent newsletter is available here.
Sign up to receive our newsletter
When you sign up, you should receive an auto-reply, confirming you have registered. If you don't receive this, please check your junk mail folder.
You can expect newsletters by email about four times a year, mostly relating to milestones and key information as our plan takes shape.
Get in touch
We also invite anyone, particularly those representing an organisation, iwi, community or interest group to contact us if you would like more information or to host a presentation or discussion for your group. We are happy to share more about how this work is progressing at a time that works for you.
We value your interest, and your feedback. You can contact us at [email protected]
Correspondence between Transpower and the Commerce Commission
Transpower's Notice of Intention to the Commerce Commission
This letter outlines our planned Major Capex Proposal project for the Western Bay of Plenty to the Commerce Commission, identifying the envisaged approach to staging investments and suggesting a timeline.
Letter from the Commerce Commission agreeing preliminary matters and timeframes
The Commerce Commission responds formally to our Notice of Intention, expressing comfort with proposed approach and agreeing a timeline for the process, as is required under cl 3.3.1(3) of the Capex IM. The Commerce Commission note it would appreciate updates on the staging when more is known.