Story: Energy supply and use
This was the condition in 1990 of one of the Cook Strait power cables laid in 1964 (top). Despite its heavy armouring, it had been lacerated by surges of pebbles. The cable was 40 kilometres long, weighed 2,000 tonnes, and was capable of carrying 250 kilovolts, 1,200 amps of high-voltage direct current. It had a hollow core through which nitrogen was pumped to cool and insulate it. In 1982 nitrogen leaked out and some cables had to be repaired, so this system was not used again. New cables (bottom) had a solid core.
About this item
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Alastair McLean
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