OPGW is a relatively new technology when compared with HV overhead power transmission. Its acceptance and use by utilities in recent years has increased significantly, however, the age profile of installations is such that extended service experience is limited. Transpower has been operating 385 km of early generation OPGW between Christchurch and Wellington on its transmission lines for the past 11 years. The route traversed is diverse in both topography and environment. It ranges from the arid Canterbury plains to the severe mountainous marine backdrops of the Cook Strait. Maintaining the asset over this relatively short period has proven to be challenging and resource consuming. A number of performance difficulties have arisen in the coastal sections leading up to full replacement of a number of conductor sections, whilst sections in the more arid areas have remained unaffected since the initial commissioning in 1991. The aim of this paper is to share Transpower's OPGW service experience, and to promote a wider understanding of potential OPGW conductor performance under the diverse climatic and weather conditions experienced in New Zealand.
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