Key Unlocks Energy Security for New Zealand's North Island

Prime Minister John Key officially opened the largest infrastructure project in New Zealand the week of 12/10, the North Island Grid overhead line upgrade.

The Prime Minister visited Pakuranga substation at the northern-most point of the project, where he met with engineers and managers from the companies involved in its construction.

BBUGL, a joint venture between Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions and UGL Limited which carries out work in Australasia, undertook the construction of a new overhead transmission line as part of the project, in alliance with Transpower, the state-owned company which owns and operates New Zealand?s national grid.

BBUGL began work on the line in 2010, and since then has constructed 186 km of new 400-kV overhead line, including the erection of 432 new transmission towers and installation of over 7,000 tons of conductor. The line includes several ?monopole? towers designed in partnership with the local council to fit with the topography of the area, reducing impact on rural settings. Standing at 65 m, these are the tallest transmission poles anywhere in New Zealand.

The project, which in addition to the new line also includes two new substations and underground cabling, will reinforce the electricity supply in New Zealand?s North Island. The population has more than doubled in this area since the last major work was carried out on the grid in the 1960s, putting increasing strain on infrastructure.

New Zealand Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley commented: ?The North Island Grid Upgrade Project has provided greater electricity supply security to the upper North Island and will ensure that as cities and communities grow our electricity infrastructure will be able to meet the increase in demand.?

The project is one of several important infrastructure schemes being undertaken by BBUGL in New Zealand and Australia. Global investment into electricity transmission expected to be worth ?380 billion between 2010 and 2020, as Neil Kirkby, Managing Director of Power Transmission at Balfour Beatty explains:

?There are exciting opportunities in the power transmission and distribution sectors across the globe, particularly in new and emerging markets. Balfour Beatty has a long history of operating in the power sector and our skills and capabilities allow us to deliver complex projects, such as the North Island Grid Upgrade, on a global basis.?

UGL?s Managing Director and CEO, Richard Leupen said:

?We are very pleased to have contributed to the delivery of this significant infrastructure project for New Zealand. The North Island Grid Upgrade demonstrates the depth of UGL?s expertise in delivering major essential infrastructure and our ability to provide innovative solutions to clients in the power sector across Australasia.?

From Left to Right: David Whatmoug, Balfour Beatty; Ian Ditchfield, BBUGL; Prime Minister RT Hon John Key; Mark McEnearney, BBULG, at the opening of the North Island Grid overhead line upgrade.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/td-most-read/~3/WGkfenTaD3w/index.html

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