Lines company Aurora Energy is planning a $3.5 million to $4 million upgrade of its network serving the Hawea Flat area, is working on an upgrade to Bendigo and is waiting for approval for an $8 million-$10 million upgrade for the Tarras area.
The Aurora network is managed by Delta, and Delta general manager asset management Adam Fletcher said the bulk of the new work was required because of existing and planned irrigation development.
The biggest spend will be on providing electricity to run Tarras Water Ltd's proposed $37 million irrigation scheme, serving up 6000ha.
Mr Fletcher said the upgrade would be needed to handle just over 8MW of extra load required to run two big water pumps, pivot irrigators and other farming equipment.
''We are pretty much settled on what we are going to do. Once Tarras has decided that they have a live project - and all of their parties are signed up and that they are going to go ahead with the development - then we are ready to kick off.''
A decision on whether the irrigation scheme will go ahead is expected in the next few weeks.
Mr Fletcher said Aurora was ''positive'' about the scheme and considered it would be good for the network ''because it brings more energy into the system''.
He said Aurora had tried not to take a position on the economics of the scheme. The cost of providing power to the scheme would be recovered from a capital contribution from the development company or from line charges.
A new substation would be built on the Maori Point side of the Clutha River and heavier lines would be installed along existing routes.
''We want to be sure the network can cope with whatever growth comes along in that area.
''If we are going to be spending significant money we make sure we try and account for everything that's going to occur. It's not just Tarras.''
Aside from the new substation, there would be no visual change to the system and no additional lines across the Clutha River.
The major part of the Hawea Flat upgrade involves improvements to substations at Maungawera and Queensberry.
