Image for illustrative purposes

New Zealand’s national grid operator Transpower is set to complete a $47 million rebuild of the Redclyffe substation in Hawke’s Bay, a critical infrastructure project aimed at strengthening the region’s electricity system after severe damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.

The project focuses on improving flood resilience, earthquake resistance, and long-term grid stability, ensuring more secure electricity supply for Hawke’s Bay and surrounding regions.

The Redclyffe substation was severely impacted when Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread flooding, leading to major power disruptions across the region. The event exposed vulnerabilities in key transmission infrastructure, prompting a large-scale redesign and upgrade programme.

Transpower’s rebuild involves upgrading the main 220kV switchyard, with essential equipment being raised above flood levels to protect against extreme weather events. The project has now received regulatory approval from New Zealand’s Commerce Commission, allowing construction to proceed toward completion. Once completed, the upgraded substation is expected to be resilient to a 1-in-450-year flood event, significantly improving protection against future climate-related risks.

The redevelopment is also designed to enhance earthquake resilience, aligning with modern engineering standards for critical energy infrastructure.

Transpower says interim upgrades already completed since 2023 have helped stabilise supply, including temporary elevated control systems and additional transformer capacity to improve regional electricity flow. The Redclyffe upgrade is part of a wider effort to reinforce the Hawke’s Bay transmission network, ensuring stable electricity delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial users.

The project includes coordination with local lines company Unison, as well as system enhancements that allow for more flexible power flow into the region during peak demand or emergency conditions. Officials say the rebuild will help reduce the likelihood of widespread outages during future extreme weather events.

Work on the rebuild is expected to begin in October 2026, with completion targeted for December 2027.

Transpower has confirmed that construction will be managed in a way that avoids disruption to local electricity supply during the upgrade period.

The Redclyffe investment is part of a wider national push to improve energy infrastructure resilience in New Zealand, particularly in regions exposed to flooding and seismic risk.

Authorities say the project reflects a long-term shift toward “build-back-better” infrastructure planning, incorporating climate adaptation into core energy system design.

Source: transpower.co.nz