Nokia and Transpower Strengthen New Zealand’s Power Grid
Terms such as “five-nines availability” and “low latency” are common when discussing networks that support critical infrastructure. Seeing the operations at the Haywards electrical substation, located at the northern end of New Zealand’s 350 kV High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) links, provided a much more concrete understanding of what those requirements mean in practice.
As an IP engineer based in Europe, I have spent my career working to improve the reliability of networks that cannot afford significant downtime. However, remotely supporting the local team at Transpower New Zealand offered a different perspective on the responsibility involved in protecting essential infrastructure.
A disruption to a retail broadband connection might be an inconvenience. A large-scale failure of a national electricity grid can have consequences across entire communities and the economy. As John Crisp, Communications Network Head at Transpower, describes it, when the grid goes down, “it’s all over, Red Rover.”
Why communications infrastructure is essential to the power grid
Transpower operates the transmission network that moves electricity across New Zealand, including hydroelectric power generated in the South Island and delivered to major population centers in the North Island. The effectiveness of that electricity network depends heavily on the communications infrastructure supporting its operation.
That communications system, known as TransGO, provides the connectivity and information flow required to operate the national grid. It effectively functions as the grid's communications nervous system.
Without TransGO, grid operators would have far less visibility into the condition of equipment, electricity generation and demand. This real-time awareness is becoming increasingly important as renewable generation, including wind and solar power, expands.
Unlike conventional generation, renewable sources can fluctuate depending on weather and other conditions. Operators therefore require timely and accurate information to maintain the balance between electricity supply and demand. The possibility of earthquakes, storms and other natural hazards further reinforces the need for resilient communications infrastructure.
Technologies such as IP/MPLS can help provide the network resilience, service separation and cybersecurity capabilities required to support these mission-critical operations.
Transpower as guardian of the national grid
During my work with Transpower, the team introduced me to the Māori concept of Kaitiaki, a term associated with guardianship and protection.
Transpower describes itself as the “Kaitiaki of the national grid,” reflecting the responsibility it carries for maintaining the country's electricity transmission infrastructure.
That responsibility extends well beyond physical assets such as transmission lines, substations and towers. It involves helping provide a dependable, affordable and sustainable electricity system for New Zealand's population of more than five million people.
This concept of guardianship also closely aligns with the approach taken by Nokia's mission-critical networking teams. For organizations such as Transpower, network performance is not simply a technical objective. Reliability is fundamental because disruptions to communications can affect the operation of critical infrastructure.
Working together to strengthen the grid
Nokia has been a long-standing technology partner of Transpower. Working alongside Spark New Zealand, Nokia is supporting the modernization of TransGO, helping prepare the communications network for the evolving requirements of New Zealand's electricity grid.
The partnership extends beyond supplying IP networking equipment. It involves understanding the operational requirements and complexities of Transpower's environment and developing solutions that support reliable grid management.
The objective is straightforward but critical: help keep electricity flowing while supporting the wider economy and New Zealand's increasingly digital infrastructure.
Learn more about Transpower’s work
For a closer look at Transpower's operations and the role of its communications infrastructure, viewers can explore the customer success story and watch the video.
Together, these resources highlight the technology, expertise and people working behind the scenes to maintain a resilient and secure electricity transmission network. The story also illustrates how mission-critical communications can support the reliability of essential infrastructure and help keep New Zealand's grid operating.
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