Our plan to support future regional growth

Every year Network Tasman reviews its Asset Management Plan.  The plan helps us identify and anticipate key trends in electricity usage on our consumer-owned network and use the necessary planning required to keep it safe, reliable and fit for purpose.

As part of the annual review, we consider recent network performance (safety and reliability), an updated demand forecast, and the current status of capital and network renewal projects.

In our 2019 Asset Management Plan, available now on our website at www.networktasman.co.nz/asset-management-plan, we outline how Network Tasman plans to invest $120million in our network during the next 10 years.

Planned network investment for 2019/20

Network Tasman’s Network Manager, Murray Hendrickson, says next year’s investment focuses on supporting regional growth with four significant projects planned:

• Installing an alternative 33kV supply for our Mapua Substation in the form of a new underground cable from Waimea West to Ridgeview Road/Appleby Highway, which will significantly reduce the incidence of power interruptions in the area.
• Installing a new 11kV feeder in Annesbrook to allow for new business connections, expansion of existing businesses and increased security of supply.
• Installing a substation at Wakapuaka to meet load growth in the outer northern part of Nelson City.
• Undergrounding the power lines running along Ellis Street in Brightwater.

In the next five years one of the largest capital expenditure items will involve development of a new transmission grid exit point in Brightwater.

Capital expenditure 2019-2020

“We gave identified a significant increase in demand in the industrial sector driven by cold storage, shellfish processing/extraction, rest homes, hop processing and dairy irrigation,” says Murray Hendrickson.

“Land subdivision for residential growth will also be strong and in the later part of our ten-year planning period, electric vehicle charging is expected to have an impact.”