Solar energy sharing trial approved

The Electricity Authority has approved two exemptions and technical and non-controversial amendments to the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 to facilitate an energy sharing trial led by Kāinga Ora and Ara Ake.

The exemptions will enable Wellington Electricity Lines Limited, as the distributor, and Intellihub Limited, as the metering equipment provider, to form part of a multiple trading model which has potential to play a role in reducing energy hardship.

It’s expected to enable benefits to be shared with customers who can’t get solar on their homes.

“The electricity industry is changing significantly,” says Electricity Authority chief executive Sarah Gillies.

“New technology and the pace of change are testing market rules that were designed for different circumstances years ago.

“The rules will need to change to enable innovation and alternatives to traditional single buyer and seller electricity models.”

The trial in the Wellington region is over five years and will enable energy sharing across selected Kainga Ora housing.

“This is a great opportunity to maximise the value of the Government investment made in solar and shows how it can be used to reduce energy hardship,” says energy, resources and housing minister Megan Woods.

Ara Ake chief executive Cristiano Marantes says the initiative is an excellent example of how innovation and collaboration can deliver practical solutions to address energy hardship.

“The partnership between Kāinga Ora, the authority and Ara Ake has led to the development of a solution which has the potential to be truly transformational and to put Aotearoa New Zealand at the forefront of global innovation to deliver a more sustainable, resilient and equitable energy future,” he says.

“I call this ‘collabor-action’.”

Kāinga Ora tenants will be able to choose their retailer.

Wellington Electricity chief executive Greg Skelton says that along with its continuing support of the EnergyMate programme in Wellington, the company sees the trial as another opportunity to work with industry colleagues to help address energy hardship in the region.

Intellihub Limited’s regulatory affairs manager Corrie Stobie says the trial will also further the company’s ambitions to enable intelligent energy use across Australia and New Zealand.