New Zealand, Tairāwhiti: Electricity supply in Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti, Wairoa and the East Coast has been significantly strengthened with the installation of a new 220 kV / 110 kV interconnecting transformer at Transpower’s Redclyffe substation.
The new unit allows up to 250 MW of electricity to flow into the region through the national grid, almost double the previous 130 MW limit. This marks a major step forward for reliability and resilience in areas hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Mark Ryall, Executive General Manager Grid Delivery at Transpower, said the upgrade reflects the company’s long-term commitment to rebuilding and improving regional electricity infrastructure.
“We have worked closely with local network partners Unison Networks and Firstlight Network to ensure the future needs of communities are met. This transformer is a key milestone, allowing more power to be imported and easing pressure on local generation sources,” Ryall said.
The upgrade will also reduce reliance on Genesis Energy’s Waikaremoana Power Scheme, which was vital in maintaining supply during and after Cyclone Gabrielle. With more electricity now available from outside the region, Waikaremoana will no longer need to operate near full capacity to meet demand.
The transformer has been designed to withstand a 1-in-450-year flood event, part of a wider plan to rebuild Redclyffe with improved flood and earthquake resilience. Further work is planned from 2026 to 2027, pending regulatory approval.
Source: Transpower
