Transpower partners with Spark for TransGO network upgrade

Transpower, New Zealand's national grid owner and system operator, has appointed Spark to refresh its TransGO network and provide ongoing services and support.

TransGO, a fully converged fibre optic telecommunications network, connects substations and sites with critical services, including protection signalling, SCADA control system architecture and communication technology services. This network allows Transpower to monitor, control, and protect grid assets while managing the wholesale electricity market in real-time, 24/7.

Mark Beder, Enterprise and Government Director at Spark, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, stating, "We are pleased to support Transpower with the connectivity and expertise for its network, a core part of New Zealand's critical infrastructure. We already support Transpower with security, data centre and managed services expertise, and we look forward to applying our proven technical depth and capability to this significant and complex project."

Beder referred to their network architecture proposal as an innovative solution based on Spark's own network design. "Our proposed network architecture for the project offers an innovative solution that is based on our own network design and will be deployed and managed by the same team that will support the TransGO refresh programme, demonstrating our experience and expertise in operating similar network solutions in real-world environments," he remarked.

The significance of the TransGO network was further explained by Transpower Executive General Manager Information Services and Technology, Cobus Nel. "TransGO is a critical tool for Transpower to be able to move power from where it's generated to where it's needed, as well as being able to run the market systems that match supply and demand in real time," he said.

Nel added, "To enable reliable power at the flick of a switch TransGO must be able to perform in scenarios where other commercial telecommunications or internet services are not able to keep running." He highlighted that the network refresh would enhance digitisation, mobility, and cloud services, thus allowing for faster connectivity speeds and closer to real-time information.

"Our TransGO network refresh will boost digitisation and enhance mobility and cloud services. Faster connectivity speeds will enable closer to real-time information, helping to ensure Transpower can continue to meet the changing needs of energy consumers across Aotearoa," he mentioned.

Part of Spark's approach involves working alongside Nokia to provide IP and optical networking solutions, leveraging global technical expertise to deliver a scalable, high-performance foundation.

The undertaking of the TransGO network refresh will commence this month and is scheduled to conclude in 2028.