About SO

Transpower, under the Electricity Industry Act 2010 and the Electricity Industry Participation Code, provides the real time services needed to ensure the security of the New Zealand electricity system. The organisation of the System Operations group is based on the time-focus of the various tasks needed to be undertaken:

Real Time - System Operations
Short to Medium Term - Investigations and Planning
Medium Term - Risk and Performance
Long Term - Development

Real Time

The System Operations Manager and his team of system co-ordinators and support staff have the task, in real time, of managing the power system, in accordance with the rules and regulations which define the market structure in New Zealand, and meeting the performance objectives that the system operator is required to achieve.

Short to Medium Term

The Investigations and Planning Manager provides support functions for the real time group. This is all the necessary investigations and planning to ensure that the ultimate delivery of the system operator function in real time is well planned and understood prior to its real time implementation. A key function is the security planning to ensure the "lights stay on", if at all possible in real time.

Medium Term

The Risk & Performance Manager is responsible for the overall risk management within the system operator group. In addition, there is a requirement for monitoring the compliance and performance of the System Operator to ensure it meets its performance objectives as required by the Electricity Authority.

Long Term

The Development Manager is required to plan and develop new systems both in terms of IT&T products, and of market and system operations tools. This will allow Transpower to deliver the system operator function to the Electricity Authority and all industry parties more efficiently.