Energy upgrade

From City Scene, published on 8 March, 2009.

Failure to invest in a secure supply of energy would be catastrophic for Auckland, says Councillor Aaron Bhatnagar, chairperson of the City Development Committee.

Mr Bhatnagar made the comments in a submission to a public hearing of the Electricity Commission, after they declined to invest in Transpower's North Auckland and Northland (NAaN) project.

NAaN would considerably bolster energy supplies through Auckland city to the north, via new transmission cables circuits, which would back up the existing circuit lines.

The council's submission stated that failure to permit proper investment would cause significant economic hardship on energy users - small and large - as well as deterring large businesses from investing in the region.

"We want the commission to permit Transpower to invest in security of supply for Auckland and Northland not just for today's requirements, but to also anticipate the growth of the Auckland region into the future," Mr Bhatnagar said.

He said the council looked forward to the Electricity Commission changing its mind on investing in NaAN "to ensure Auckland gets the world-class energy supply we deserve".