To do that, Transpower has asked the Waitaki District Council to designate extra land below the Benmore dam as part of the upgrade of the HVDC link between there and Haywards, Wellington.
As a "requiring authority" under the Resource Management Act, Transpower has the power to request the designation.
The council will consider that, then make a recommendation, with Transpower making the final decision.
The council's planning policy manager, Jack Chandra, yesterday said the designation was received last week.
The council was assessing whether it needed further information from Transpower and whether it would be publicly notified, requiring a call for public submissions.
Transpower's proposal is to increase the link's capacity from its maximum of 700MW to 1000MW in 2012, then to 1400MW in 2014.
As part of the upgrade, the Benmore switchyard will be expanded, further seismic strengthening will be carried out, and more efficient transformers will be installed.
Areas beside the existing station have been identified for the expansion.
Transpower said it was still in the planning stages for the project and looking at several options for both Benmore and Haywards.
It expected to have preferred site plans later this year once a contractor had been appointed to deliver and install the equipment.
Site works were expected to start early next year with the first stage completed in 2012.
The second stage was expected to be completed in 2014.
An outline plan will need to be submitted to the council for works within the designated area at Benmore.
Transpower said there would be times during the project when large pieces of equipment, such as the transformers, would need to be transported to the site.
There might also be an increase in traffic to the site during construction.
Transpower has promised to keep communities updated throughout the project and give advanced notice of any traffic delays which might occur.
• The HVDC link
- Owned and operated by Transpower New Zealand Ltd.
- Transmits electricity between the South and North Islands.
- Has substations at Benmore and Haywards.
- Electricity transmitted via transmission lines and Cook Strait cables.
- Two separate circuits, Pole 1 and Pole 2.
- Converts electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and vice versa.
- DC more efficient to transmit.
- Transpower plans upgrade costing up to $672 million.
- Will increase capacity from 700MW to 1400MW.
- Pole 1 to be replaced and pole 2 to be upgraded.
