Construction of 186km transmission line is part of JV with Australian engineer United Group

Contractor Balfour Beatty has secured an £82m contract to build an electricity transmission line in New Zealand.

The firm said it has been appointed to the scheme, for New Zealand grid operator Transpower, as part of a joint venture with Australian engineer United Group.


Ian Tyler
Tyler: line "will help provide security of supply to the upper North Island"

The project involves the design, supply and construction of an 186km overhead line between Whakamaru and Aukland that forms part of a proposed upgrade for the country's North Island grid.

Balfour Beatty chief executive Ian Tyler said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Transpower to construct the proposed transmission line from Whakamaru to Auckland, which will help provide security of supply to the upper North Island.

“We look forward to deploying our expertise and resources, working in joint venture with United Group Ltd, to deliver this important project.”

Construction work is scheduled to begin in 2009 and the line is expected to be commissioned in November 2011.