New Auckland Council must look at electricity generation

The new Auckland Council needs to investigate electricity generation options which will guarantee security of supply, says Manukau Mayor Len Brown.

“Relying on lines transmitting energy from generators hundreds and hundreds of miles away will always leave Auckland vulnerable to transmission cuts and system failures as we saw yesterday.

“Power supply to first class cities should not be caught in the middle of an intemperate scrap between a single disgruntled farmer and a single power transmission company.

"It's important to note that major investment is currently going into the power lines and upgrade of the Otahuhu substation, however we need to examine ways of generating energy close to source and north of Auckland.

"Rather than playing the old blame game we should be focused on how to future proof our city.

“The new Council will have the critical mass to investigate options with power utilities to begin to provide generation to Auckland which is sustainable and secure. It needs to support proposals for sustainable generation close to Auckland – such as the proposals we are seeing for wind and tidal generation on sites on the west coast.

"The Super City can work with power generation companies to share information, give advice on environmental impacts and represent local communities when it comes to new development. The new structure provides us with the chance to try new approaches to growth.

"The Council will also be able to examine and standardise the region's best consenting practices which could allow easier and cheaper instillation of solar panels and home wind generation. It can also work with residential and commercial developers to share knowledge on energy efficiency to lessen demand.

“The Council also has to do all it can to ensure all regulatory hurdles for upgrades to the existing big ticket infrastructure run as smoothly as possible.

“The Council might even look at joint ventures with power companies, such as the Whitford Landfill development that draws methane gas from waste to make energy.

All possibilities should be canvassed. Otherwise we’re left with the status quo – insecure supply and major outages causing havoc to the region and its economy.”