Isolated Areas
New Zealand's national electricity network covers the majority of both the North and South Islands. Waiheke Island, New Zealand's most populous offshore island, is supplied electricity from Vector's Auckland sub-transmission network via submarine cables between Maraetai and the island. However, many offshore islands and some parts of the South Island are not connected to the national grid and operate independent generation systems, mainly due to the difficulty of building lines from other areas. These places include:
- Great Barrier Island. The largest population in New Zealand without a reticulated electricity supply. Generation is from individual schemes for households or groups of households. A combination of renewable and non-renewable energy.
- Haast. The area around Haast and extending south to Jackson Bay is not connected to the rest of New Zealand. It operates from a hydroelectric scheme on the Turnbull River with diesel backup.
- Milford Sound - electricity is generated via a small hydroelectric scheme operating off Bowen Falls with a diesel backup.
- Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound - The small community at Deep Cove at the head of Doubtful Sound operates off a hydro scheme, although during the construction of the second Manapouri Tailrace Tunnel a high voltage cable was installed connecting this tiny settlement with the Manapouri Power Station.
- Stewart Island / Rakiura. This island's power supply for a population of 300/400 people is entirely diesel generated. Renewable energy sources are limited, but they are being actively investigated in order to increase the sustainability of the island's power supply, and reduce the cost.
- Chatham Islands. All power on Chatham and Pitt Island is currently diesel generated, with fuel imported from New Zealand. Wind turbines are about to be installed on Chatham Island to diversify the supply .
Many other schemes exist on offshore islands that have permanent or temporary habitation, mostly generators or small renewable systems. An example is the ranger / research station on Little Barrier Island, where twenty 175 watt photovoltaic panels provide the mainstay for local needs, with a diesel generator for backup.
Read more about this topic: Electricity Sector In New Zealand
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