Transpower plans to spend 193-million-dollars on a grid upgrade for the upper South Island, as electricity demand grows

The national grid operator's submitted a proposal to the Commerce Commission.

It wants to build two new switching stations near Orari and Rangitata, upgrade two transmission lines in the Waitaki Valley and install voltage management equipment.

Grid Development Executive General Manager Matt Webb says electricity generation north of Twizel is limited, so the upgrades will strengthen the network.

He says this will ensure areas in the upper South Island have a reliable electricity supply and can meet increasing demand into the 2030s.