Power Transmission and Distribution

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Our integrated approach helps clients modernise infrastructure, navigate regulatory complexity and deliver a reliable, resilient power supply as demand continues to increase across the grid. Our local experts draw on global experience to work collaboratively with clients in New Zealand, Australia and the world — each with distinctive goals and challenges. Recent acquisitions of US-based POWER Engineers and TRC, along with Harmonic Analytics (now WSP Harmonic) in New Zealand, ensure our clients can access global and local specialist support.

Electrifying communities

Power transmission and distribution systems provide a lifeline to rural and urban areas across New Zealand.

As demand for sustainable power grows rapidly, we support our clients to secure network operational reliability, security and efficiency. We leverage our breadth of expertise in low-voltage reticulation and distribution to voltages up to 500 kV.

We work on every major element of power transmission and distribution network systems, including overhead power lines and towers, transformers and reactive compensation equipment, substations and switchyards, underground and undersea cables, High-Voltage Direct Current and Extra High-Voltage networks, as well as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems and Distribution Management Systems.

Our comprehensive investigation work underpins reliable transmission networks and includes steady state studies, transient and dynamic stability studies, generation connection studies and a range of specialty assessments.

Substations and smart grids

Substations are an integral part of the transmission and distribution mix. We specialise in the planning and implementation (including substation primary control and automation system design), and detailed design and construction support of substations.

WSP drives innovation in smart grids. We have delivered projects in New Zealand, Australia, China, the USA, Europe and the Middle East, sharing global knowledge and harnessing lessons learned to better support our clients.

With ever changing conditions, we know that our clients need to improve power resilience. Our professionals can leverage their extensive knowledge and experience to assess system vulnerabilities and develop designs that minimise the impact of climate-related events on power facilities and networks.

The best of global insights and local expertise

Drawing on our combined local and global capability, we support clients across the full transmission and distribution lifecycle - from planning and design through to delivery of complex grid infrastructure and modernisation programmes. We work with utilities, developers, asset owners and government agencies, bringing together technical expertise, regulatory insight and programme delivery experience to solve challenges.

Our projects span:

Site and route optioneering
Environmental feasibility studies and assessments
Environmental permitting and planning consent support
Grid connection support, civil and electrical engineering design
Smart grid development
Integrated power solutions
Scenario analysis for sustainable energy systems for new urban areas
Distribution from intermittent electricity production and renewable energy sources
Infrastructure development binding continents and facilitating intracontinental trade

In just the past few years alone, our WSP teams have delivered:

Kilometers of transmission lines

160,000+

Transmission projects

10,000+

Megawatts of energy

50,000+

Supporting clients across the world

WSP has a long track record supporting utilities, contracting organizations, developers, owners and government agencies around the globe on transmission and distribution projects throughout the lifecycle. We respond to clients’ needs by harnessing our knowledge, technical leadership and project management skills, serving in diverse roles including as technical advisors, owner’s engineers, development engineers and lender’s engineers to solve complex transmission and distribution problems and produce innovative, high-quality, cost-effective solutions.

We’ve worked on every major element of power transmission and distribution network systems, including overhead power lines and towers, transformers and reactive compensation equipment, substations and switchyards, underground and submarine (undersea) cables, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and extra high-voltage (EHV) networks, as well as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and distribution management systems (DMS).

Modern demands for power

High-voltage direct current (HVDC) bridges the gap between where renewable energy is generated and where it’s needed — efficiently, cost-effectively and across long distances with minimal power loss. Our engineers and environmental experts collaborate closely during line routing to deliver designs that move power safely and efficiently, clear regulatory hurdles and safeguard natural resources.

Handling larger volumes of electricity

More power means more substations, and no two are alike. From 5 kV to 765 kV, we’ve delivered thousands of substation designs tailored to the needs of end users. Sometimes, that means thinking beyond the conventional. In downtown Seattle, we partnered with the community to create an innovative, state-of-the-art community centerpiece that also met the energy needs of a nearby tech center.

CHPE Transmission Line, New York >

Programs to shape the grid of the future

Ambitious renewable energy goals demand large scale projects — and seamless program management to match. Our streamlined approach brings even the most complex efforts together, empowering clients to deliver low-carbon solutions and power more homes.

New Zealand's energy future is full of opportunity. Working with our clients, we know the questions to ask, and we can bring our teams together to deliver the outcomes they need.

Dave Maslin Director - Power and Energy, WSP in New Zealand

Dave Maslin Director - Power and Energy, WSP in New Zealand

Explore our power and energy projects

Northland, New Zealand

Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Pushing the boundaries of innovation to supercharge the nation’s renewable energy future, WSP partnered with Meridian Energy to deliver New Zealand’s first grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

Australia

Supporting the Growth of Renewable Energy

Essential to ensuring security and reliability of the grid to support increasing renewable energy connections, the new EnergyConnect transmission line will link New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria and would assist in transporting energy from the South-West Renewable Energy Zone to major demand centres.

Projects

Bringing Power Reliability to Chile

The largest power transmission line in this South American country connects the north and the south, thus providing greater power reliability and stability.

New Zealand

Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Plant Construction

Mighty River Power has built a new binary geothermal power plant to add to its list of energy assets. Ngatamariki is a new binary geothermal power plant about 17km north east of Taupo.

Otago, New Zealand

NZ Battery Other Technologies Feasibility Study

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) engaged WSP to investigate options to manage or mitigate New Zealand's "dry year problem".

United States

Environmental Impact is Part of Transmission Line Study

Various public and private utilities have been proposing high-voltage transmission improvements, including the regional system provider in the US Pacific Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Projects

Increasing access to power in Zimbabwe through infrastructure rehabilitation

WSP participates in a crucial project to improve the reliability of power in Zimbabwe and restore supplies to its 20,000-plus customers who have been without stable access to electricity for some time.

thn-wsp-aces-clean-hydrogen-storage-project

Utah, USA

ACES Delta I Hydrogen Production and Storage

World’s largest green hydrogen storage facility being developed in Utah with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office will help scale low-carbon energy for western states.

New Mexico, USA

Moving the wind

Energizing four New Mexico wind farms to power the lives of 900,000 people across the West.

Seattle, Washington, USA

Seattle City Light’s Denny Substation

Using program management solutions to create an innovative, state-of-the-art substation and community centerpiece.

New York, USA

Propel NY Energy Project

Electric transmission infrastructure will power a reliable energy future for all New Yorkers.

Texas, USA

Powering Growth: Rio Grande Valley 345-kV Reconductor Project

Transmission improvement project doubles capacity across 120 miles without disrupting service by using energized lines.

Looking to understand your power transmission and distribution opportunities?

Get in touch with our transmission, substation and distribution experts today.

Frequently asked questions

What are grid-enhancing technologies?

Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) are advanced solutions that help utilities meet growing power demand cost-effectively by optimizing existing assets. GETs help utilities determine the maximum safe limit of power their system can deliver, which saves customers from having to fund new lines or other expensive capital expenditure. For example, these technologies may monitor real-time weather conditions to enable dynamic line ratings, or they may regulate voltage automatically to prevent damage and disruption of service using various forms of condensers. GETs provide an efficient way to expand grid capacity and improve performance without the long timelines and capital investment of traditional infrastructure projects.

What is a digital substation?

A digital substation replaces analog components connecting the transformer(s) to the relays with fiber optic cabling that communicates through the IEC 61850 standard for networked communication. A digital design reduces the station’s physical footprint by requiring less copper wiring, improves safety through remote monitoring and increases flexibility for future upgrades. Real-time data generated by digital substations can contribute to a robust asset management program that focuses on predictive maintenance and advanced analytics.

How do utilities maintain grid stability with the influx of intermittent renewable generation sources?

The first step in maintaining grid stability as renewable sources are added is to study the impacts. For example, electrical studies can evaluate if new plants can operate safely by analyzing bi-directional power flows, frequency stability and system inertia, as well as defining appropriate protection schemes.

Once a source is on the system, its impacts can be managed in a variety of ways. Battery energy storage solutions can smooth out variable supply and demand curves by storing renewable energy generated at times of lower demand and discharging that energy when demand is higher. Storing and discharging the energy produced by renewables can also manage system inertia as renewable sources fluctuate. Demand response programs with the utility's customers can help manage variable availability of renewable supplies as well. Data analytics paired with artificial intelligence and machine learning can speed and automate many of these efforts to make them more efficient and effective.

How can SCADA enhance automation in power transmission and distribution networks?

SCADA and automation are critical enablers of modern transmission and distribution (T&D) systems. They provide real-time visibility, control and data analytics that enhance grid reliability, operational efficiency and integration of distributed energy resources.

Our approach integrates SCADA with advanced distribution management systems, IEC 61850-based substation automation, and secure communication protocols to support both legacy and modern infrastructure. This enables utilities to respond faster to grid events, optimize asset performance and support decarbonization goals.

For example, our work on the Denny Substation project in Seattle demonstrates how SCADA and automation — leveraging GOOSE messaging and MMS protocols — can deliver high-availability, cyber-secure control systems for complex urban grids.

What is the role of testing and commissioning in grid reliability?

High voltage testing and commissioning are foundational to ensuring the safety, reliability and long-term performance of transmission systems. These processes validate that all components — such as transformers, switchgear and cables — operate as designed under real-world electrical stresses before being energized.

By identifying potential issues like insulation breakdowns, grounding faults or equipment misconfigurations early, utilities can avoid costly equipment damage or outages and ensure compliance with industry standards. This is especially critical as transmission networks evolve to support renewable integration, grid modernization and increased load demands.

Our team applies rigorous testing protocols and commissioning procedures tailored to each project’s technical and regulatory requirements. This not only safeguards infrastructure investments but also accelerates project timelines by reducing rework and post-installation failures.