Plan to power western Bay of Plenty into the future released

Transpower and Powerco have released a plan to deliver nine major electricity infrastructure projects over the next decade to enable an expected doubling of electricity demand in western Bay of Plenty (WBOP) by 2050. 

The planned investments, which include upgrades of power lines, substations and transformers, is set out in the Western Bay of Plenty Development Plan – powering a growing region. 

The release of the plan follows Commerce Commission approval in June for Transpower to invest $83 million into its electricity transmission infrastructure in the region.   

Transpower Executive General Manager Matt Webb said demand for electricity across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke and Ōmokoroa is expected to increase 40%-75% by 2035 due to population growth and increasing electrification. By 2050, it is expected to more than double. 

“Together with Powerco, our role is to ensure infrastructure is built in the right locations, at the right time, in the most cost-efficient way to deliver the region’s power needs now and into the future,” he said.
 
“The region is growing fast, and we need to invest now to enable the region to prosper. This plan will give local communities the confidence they need to plan for and expand into that future.” 

Potential large new developments in the region expected to drive step increases in electricity demand include continued industrial demand at Tauriko, the development of the Rangiuru Business Park near Te Puke, several industrial coolstores planned near Te Puke, and further development at the Port of Tauranga.  

There are also several commercial and residential developments, including in Pyes Pa, Tauriko and Wairakei, east of Papamoa. 

Transpower and Powerco are also exploring the possibility of transmission and distribution alternatives in order to optimise the longevity of their existing networks and infrastructure. 

“Our proposal to the Commission included up to $2.9 million for non-transmission solutions, which include large batteries and demand response strategies, where industrial customers or electricity retailers work with their customers to shift demand away from peak demand periods,” Matt Webb said. 

Powerco General Manager Electricity Karen Frew said the plan was developed following public consultation in 2023 and 2024 to understand the local community’s expected electricity needs over the decades ahead.  

“Feedback from the region’s leaders was that we needed to ensure our investments supported significant long-term growth while considering the changing future electricity needs of industry, businesses and communities,” she said.  

“This plan will deliver on that for the region. Powerco will need to invest in the local electricity network in addition to Transpower investment. We’ll continue working with Transpower to meet customer needs while ensuring distribution investment provides the best long-term value for local customers.”  

Karen Frew said Powerco would continue to engage with local communities as it moved forward with the work to ensure homes and businesses could continue to access the reliable electricity supply they need to thrive now and into the future. 

Find out more about our WBOP projects here: transpower.co.nz/projects/wbop and powerco.co.nz/wbop  

Who are Transpower and Powerco? 

Transpower is the owner and operator of New Zealand’s national electricity grid – the network of high voltage transmission lines that transport power from areas of power generation to towns and cities across the country. In western Bay of Plenty, Transpower’s network interconnects with that of local lines company Powerco, which owns and maintains the lower-voltage power lines and cables that connect to homes and businesses throughout the region.