Transpower as System Operator prepares assessments and reports on system events and situations that might pose risks to system operations.
| Date | Information |
|---|---|
| 30 Sep 2024 | Enhanced Security of Supply Activities A combination of below average inflows in Aotearoa’s hydro generation catchments, constraints in the gas market, high electricity demand in May and low wind generation contributed to a rapid decline in hydro storage over winter. By mid-August, hydro lake levels were just 51% of average for the time of year, which is among the lowest levels we have reached in around 90 years of historic records. We stepped up our security of supply reporting as a result and worked closely with industry, government and other stakeholders to monitor and manage the situation. With New Zealand hydro storage rebounding to 109% of average for the time of year by late September, we ceased these enhanced security of supply activities. More information about our approach to the situation can be found here. |
| 6 Sep 2024 | Northland Loss of Supply, 20-23 June 2024 Transpower, in its role as system operator, has published its independent investigation into the loss of electricity supply to Northland from 20-23 June 2024. The investigation was commissioned by Transpower as per its system operator procedures for reporting significant incidents. The investigation focused on the operational performance of Transpower in its dual system operator and grid owner roles as well as industry participants leading up to and in response to the event. It did not investigate the tower failure that caused the outage, which was addressed in a separate investigation published on 1 August 2024. The independent report is published alongside our response to the recommendations and our preliminary report that was published on 5 July 2024. |
| May 2024 | Gannon Geomagnetic Storm A series of powerful solar storms with extreme solar flares and geomagnetic storm components occurred from 10–13 May 2024. The resulting geomagnetic storm “Gannon” was the most powerful to affect Earth since March 1989, and produced aurorae at far more equatorial latitudes than usual in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The following report produced by Transpower provides a summary of the system operator and wider electricity industries response to, and lessons learnt from, the Gannon geomagnetic storm. |
| Feb/ Mar 2023 | Southland Low Generation Low hydro inflows in the Southland region had the potential, if the situation had worsened, to lead to security issues. This report outlines the potential issues and reconfiguration options. |
| 14 Feb 2023 | Cyclone Gabrielle Flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle caused extensive damage at our Redclyffe substation in Hawke’s Bay, resulting in the loss of electricity supply to Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.
SO full report - Hawkes Bay loss of supply.pdf
(PDF 2.07 MB)
|
| 9 Aug 2021 | Grid Emergency: Shortfall event On 9 Aug 2021 the country faced the largest demand peak in response to one of the coldest nights of the year. As system operator, we called a Grid Emergency when insufficient generation was available to meet demand, leading to some customers being disconnected. A number of reviews of this event are underway including an independent review commissioned by Transpower to help us understand the event and industry’s response on the night, to identify where we need to make changes. As system operator, we have a programme of work underway to address recommendations from each of the reports, which includes industry engagement. Reports and information relating to this event are located here. |