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Maungatapere Bus Security investment proposal - history

On 19 December 2008, Transpower New Zealand Limited (Transpower) submitted to the Electricity Commission three reliability investments for approval under rule 13 of section III of part F of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003. The three investments were part of the 2008 Grid Upgrade Plan.

Final decision

No request for a public conference was received on the Maungatapere Bus Security Investment Proposal; therefore the Commission's decision to approve the Maungatapere Bus Security Investment Proposal was final.

Transpower's application

Transpower submitted the Maungatapere Bus Security Investment Proposal as a reliability investment. The proposal involved the retrofitting of a bus coupler to the 110kV substation at Maungatapere and upgrade of the associated protection equipment. Transpower sought approval of up to $4.1 million for the proposal.

Opportunity for comment

Under rule 13.3.2 and rule 13.3.5 of section III of part F of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003, the Commission gave notice to provide designated transmission customers and parties affected by the proposals with an opportunity to:

• Provide written comments on Transpower's proposals; and

• Request that the Commission consider alternatives to Transpower's proposals.

Comments and/or requests were sought by the Commission by 12.00 pm on Friday, 30 January 2009. The Commission received three submissions.

Timetable

On 17 December 2008, the Commission and Transpower agreed on a timetable for consultation and approval of the three reliability investments.

The December 2008 timetable lapsed as the Commission's review of the Wairakei Ring investment proposal required more work than was anticipated. Accordingly, on 30 January 2009, the Commission and Transpower agreed to an amended timetable (“January 2009 timetable”).

Notice of Intention

On 20 February 2009, the Commission published a notice of intention to approve the Maungatapere Bus Security Investment Proposal.

Reasons for decision

The Reasons for Decision document presented the Commission's analysis of the Maungatapere Bus Security Investment Proposal and explained the reasons supporting the Commissions intention to approve the proposal.

Key corresondence and supporting analysis

The Commission was assisted in its decision making by analysis of the information provided by Transpower undertaken by its staff.

Opportunity for comment

Under rule 15.2 of section III of part F of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003, a designated transmission customer, an authorised representative of parties substantially affected by the Grid Upgrade Plan, or Transpower, may, within 10 working days of the date of publication of the notice of intention (that is, by 5pm on 6 March 2009), request that the Commission hold a public conference if they consider that:

• The interests of end use customers are materially adversely affected by the cost or the service outcome of the reliability investment to which the notice relates; or

• The Grid Investment Test has not been applied properly to the Grid Upgrade Plan.

The purpose of a public conference is to provide a final opportunity for comment on the reliability investment to which the notice relates.

If no request to hold a public conference is received, or if the Electricity Commission determines not to hold a public conference, the Electricity Commission's decision, as set out in this notice of intention, is final.

This page is related to: Transmission.

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