Reinforcing the security of electricity supply into the growing Cambridge area.

Waipa Networks distributes electricity to consumer connections in the Waipa District and is currently supplied electricity into the Cambridge area via a single grid exit point substation (GXP) off Transpower New Zealand’s 110kV National Grid network.

As the largest urban centre in the district, Cambridge has been experiencing significant population growth. In addition, industrial activity is rapidly expanding; generally centred around the Hautapu area to the north of the Waikato Expressway.

Based on the predicted demand growth and security of supply issues, Waipa Networks, alongside Transpower, commenced development planning in 2018 to investigate solutions to provide additional capacity and diversity of transmission connection into the Cambridge area.

After a range of technical and economic evaluations, it was determined that the preferred solution was to establish a new GXP connecting to the Otahuhu–Whakamaru 220kV circuits. This proposed GXP facility would entail a new 220kV National Grid substation for Transpower and an associated 33kV local network substation for Waipa Networks.

Client

Transpower New Zealand Limited

Location

Waikato

Project team

John Goodwin
Robert Schofield
Andrew Blayney
Jo Soanes
Gavin Mathews
Tim Utteridge
John Watt
Corey Murray

Worked with

AECOM
AgFirst
Buddle Findlay
CKL
Iron Sand Consulting
Sian Keith Archaeology
Styles Group Acoustic Consultants

Project date

2021 - ongoing

Boffa Miskell were commissioned by Transpower in mid-2020 to lead the notice of requirement (NOR) process for the Hautapu 220kV Grid Exit Point Project.

This initially involved the area study and site selection processes to identify a suitable location for the project, and ensuring that the RMA’s requirements around adequate consideration of alternative sites, routes and methods were addressed. Boffa Miskell’s planning team coordinated a robust assessment of the constraints and opportunities of the study area, which included a multi-criteria analysis workshop of the potential project sites identified.

Boffa Miskell’s landscape architects not only prepared a landscape effects assessment for the project, but also developed a concept landscape design for the site.

This design proposes a range of native trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the GXP to provide visual screening and soften the appearance of the project in the landscape. This landscape design also incorporates fast growing exotic trees species in accordance with the recommendations of Boffa Miskell’s ecologists in order to over time improve habitat for the Threatened – Nationally Critical native long-tailed bats which are present within the site and surrounding area.

Boffa Miskell also oversaw and managed a range technical inputs supporting the NOR that were provided by external sub-consultants, including acoustic, archaeological and transportation assessments.

In parallel to these technical assessments, Transpower and Waipa Networks’ property teams liaised with the landowner of the project’s preferred site to the west of Cambridge; with this property successfully purchased for the project in late 2021.

Boffa Miskell also assisted with the ongoing engagement between Transpower, Waipa Networks, and local mana whenua; Ngaati Hauaa and Ngaati Korokii-Kahukura.

The NOR application, which was submitted in October 2022, was processed by Waipa District Council on a non-notified basis; with the designations and their associated conditions recommended by Council in December 2022 to be confirmed without modification. This was a significant achievement for an infrastructure project of this scale and complexity, and an extremely positive outcome for the two clients.

Construction is proposed to commence in mid-2023; with the GXP expected to be commissioned and operational by early 2025.

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