Transpower is looking to make a key investment into the Cook Strait electricity cable.
It's consulting on a $1.4 billion upgrade to the 610 kilometre link connecting the North and South Island.
The existing cables are likely to reach their end of life in the late 2030s.
Major Electricity Users' Group Chairman John Harbord told Ryan Bridge the link's important when hydro-lakes in the South are low in water.
He says the North Island's often moving forms of renewable electricity down to the South Island.
LISTEN ABOVE

Simon Parham: Waitomo Group CEO on the fuel regulations that could be relaxed to help mitigate the fuel crisis
02:47

Nikki Hart: Nutritionist on the three-decade surge in ultra-processed food consumption in New Zealand
03:36

Matt Gault: ANZ Senior Economist on the Q4 GDP result
03:46