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Enabling investment and innovation

Network connections

Improving the efficiency of connecting to distribution networks and upgrading existing connections.

  • Distribution
  • Code

    • Overview

    Distributors are facing more and increasingly complex requests to connect to their networks – particularly for large electricity users like public EV charging stations and data centres, and generators like solar and wind farms. Commercial and industrial consumers are also looking to switch from fossil fuels to electricity.

    There is also strong competition between those seeking a connection (access seekers) for distributors’ resources to process applications, and for connection capacity.

    This project aims to address the barriers to efficient network connections. We want to make sure the Code supports fit-for-purpose application processes and standards, so networks can operate efficiently, competitively and reliably.

    The Authority established the Network Connections Technical Group in February 2024 to provide us with advice. This group was superseded by the Network Services Technical Group (NSTG) in March 2026. The NSTG will continue to provide advice to the Authority during the next stages of the Network connections project.

    Stage one

    In July 2025, we announced decisions on the rule changes proposed as part of stage one of this project. This follows consultation in late 2024.

    These rule changes make it easier, faster, more equitable and more consistent across the country to connect large electricity users and distributed generation to networks.

    Following a technical consultation, we finalised the Code in December 2025 to give effect to these new rules.

    One of the new rules requires distributors to publish information about the pipeline of distributed generation and load projects wanting to connect to their networks.

    Following consultation in October 2025, we decided to also collect pipeline information under a clause 2.16 notice. A summary of this information will be made publicly available, helping developers, regulators and system planners to make better informed decisions.

    Next stages

    Following the consultation, we have made rule changes that raise export limits to more efficient levels for residential solar and battery systems and other, larger distributed generation.

    Read our decision paper for more details on the rule changes and distributors' information sheet for support to implement the new rules.

    This is the first step of Stage two of the Network connections project.

    Future work will consider a range of issues including application processes for residential solar and the fees that access seekers pay for distributors to process their applications.

    Alongside this work, we are improving connection pricing methodologies so they are more efficient and have greater consistency across distributors.

    Timeline

    Past activity

    Project background

    This project is one of several established in response to issues raised during consultations in 2021 and 2022 and ongoing conversations with the sector about the processes and standards to connect to distribution networks and operate efficiently. These processes and standards are regulated under Part 6 of the Code.

    Part 6 has changed little since it was introduced almost 20 years ago. Since then, the number, size and complexity of connection applications for distributed generation have changed substantially, and a comprehensive review is required.

    Given the breadth of the Part 6 regulations, we have divided the project into stages. This allows the Authority to prioritise its focus and move more quickly on issues stakeholders have told us are most important.

    The Authority has asked the industry organisations to progress co-developed policies with access seekers. We expect all distributors to adopt these policies without the need to regulate. The Streamlining connections programme allows the Electricity Engineers' Association, Electricity Networks Aotearoa, and the Authority to work on other initiatives, such as developing technical guidelines for the connection and commissioning of distributed energy resources, and mapping the customer journey to identify pain points and help create solutions, to improve the consistency and efficiency of network connections.

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