Transpower Upgrade

If you are a buyer or seller of property in the upper Central North Island it could be important to be aware of the currently underway major Transpower project for your due-diligence or disclosures. 

The North Island Grid Upgrade Project (NIGUP) is one of New Zealand’s largest electricity transmission projects and is planned to help to provide a secure supply of electricity to the upper North Island well into the future. So hopefully no more black-outs in Auckland after it finishes in 2012!

Transpower advises that there are approximately 344 properties directly-affected and another 1100 properties within a kilometre being potentially indirectly affected by the grid upgrade.  

The project involves the construction of a new 186km, 400 kV capable, overhead transmission line.  It includes 426 new towers and runs from a new switching station in South Auckland (at Brownhill Road, Whitford) to a new substation at Whakamaru (north of Taupo). It includes 10km of underground cable from Brownhill Road to the Pakuranga substation. The tidy-up includes the removal of an existing transmission line from Arapuni to Pakauranga.

Transpower’s website has specific project details, extensive maps of affected areas, and construction information that may be helpful and should be checked out. There are also plenty of cool photos showing some awesome machinery!

For more information also go to www.gridnewzealand.co.nz or call 0800 33 33 68.