10. PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy and Resources
My question is to the Minister of Energy—[ Interruption]
Mr SPEAKERI say principally to the Government front bench that I have called the members’ colleague, and a little courtesy to him would be helpful. [ Interruption] Could I ask both front benches please to show courtesy to the member at the back.
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA Link to this
What recent improvements have been made to the national electricity grid?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) Link to this
I am pleased to advise the House that two important projects have recently been completed by Transpower to improve the security of electrical supply through the national grid. The first is the replacement transformer at the Wilton substation, here in Wellington, and the second is a new substation in the Penrose district of Auckland. Both of these important projects will improve transmission security of supply in Wellington and Auckland respectively, particularly during peak times during the winter.
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Link to this
What improvements will be made to the national grid over the coming years?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Transpower has a multibillion-dollar programme of investment planned for the next few years. The biggest part of that programme is the new Pole 3 high-voltage direct current link between the North Island and the South Island, and I was pleased to launch its construction programme yesterday. Pole 3 will replace Pole 1, which has almost come to the end of its 45-year life. It is one of the most important pieces of national infrastructure that will be built over the next few years, and it will cost close to $700 million. It is money very well spent, and it secures security of supply throughout New Zealand.
Charles ChauvelIs the Minister concerned that Treasury describes his proposed transfer of oversight of new transmission investments to the Commerce Commission as “one of the weaker elements” of his electricity reforms, because the commission “does not have significant expertise in electricity matters”; and how can the House be satisfied that the planned $3.5 billion investment of public funds into the grid upgrade will receive proper oversight in light of those concerns?
Why does the Government not put in place for a period of time the same dividend policy for the State-owned generators that it has for Transpower, which would allow the generators to remedy the dearth of new electricity generation that has occurred on his watch without big price rises for consumers?
I seek leave to table the Treasury paper outlining Treasury’s concerns about the Commerce Commission taking over oversight of investment generation from the Electricity Commission.