EA consulting on proposed rule changes

The Electricity Authority (EA) has consultation open on two rule changes it’s proposing to make it easier for EV charge point operators and other energy users to connect to the electricity network.

A webinar to talk through the proposals is planned for Monday November 11, 2.30pm-3.30pm – click here to register or check out EA’s LinkedIn post on the subject.

The two sets of proposed rule changes are expected to remove barriers to getting manufacturers, data centres, new housing developments, EV charging stations and other businesses connected to the electricity network, the EA says.

The consultations are part of the authority’s wider work programme to make it more efficient and easier for businesses and consumers to access the electricity they need, says EA network pricing director Tim Sparks.

“More businesses and infrastructure are increasingly needing to connect to the distribution network.

“But the current rules have not kept pace with the number, size and complexity of connection applications, and change is needed to assist access seekers to connect,” says Sparks.

“At the moment, electricity distribution companies can also develop their own rules around how to charge businesses and investors wanting to connect. This means there’s a wide range of practices happening across New Zealand, and in some cases, quite high up-front costs.”

Sparks says the EA wants to reshape the electricity market rules to encourage more efficient investment in important infrastructure.

“We’re proposing changes that will make it easier and faster to connect to networks, and start to rebalance connection pricing methodologies so they’re more efficient,” he says.

“The proposals also aim to improve consistency of connection pricing and processes – to make it easier for businesses operating across multiple regions.

“The rule changes we’re proposing would enable consumers to enjoy the benefits of more developments happening sooner, with more efficient investments leading to lower overall costs.”

Sparks says the consultations represent the first steps in multi-year work programmes that support more efficient investment in infrastructure and businesses.

The consultations run until Friday December 6, with another fortnight proposed for cross-submissions.

The EA’s ‘Network connections project – Stage one’ consultation focuses on more efficient application processes when requesting a connection to the network.  

Its ‘Distribution connection pricing’ consultation focuses on more efficient pricing structures for connecting to the network.

The EA says the greater consistency part will be particularly interesting for EV charge point operators wanting to operate across various regions as the rules currently differ between lines companies.