Project Background

With increased vineyard development in the Wairau Valley over recent years, MLL’s existing infrastructure was nearing operational limits and required upgrading to provide additional capacity.

Solution
The upgrade works comprised three separate elements:

1.     Upgrading MLL’s existing overhead power line running alongside SH63 to 33kV

2.     Installing approx. 10.5km of new 33kV cable alongside SH63

3.     Constructing a new 33kV/11kV substation approx. 2km west of Wairau Valley township

Duration
Following approval by the MLL Board in July 2024 the upgrade was completed in approximately 19 months, with the new circuit and substation livened on 29 January 2026.

Benefits / Achievement of Strategic Objectives
With the upgrade now complete, MLL’s network in the Wairau Valley is now more flexible, dynamic, resilient and capable of accommodating future load growth and technologies.

Special Thanks
A programme of this scale involved significant effort by MLL’s in-house team and all the consultants and contractors we partnered with to deliver it.

There were many, many different organisations and people involved along the way and MLL extends our thanks to everyone involved.

We also extend a special thanks to the community in the Wairau Valley for your patience and support during the upgrade.