ComCom aims for ‘better picture’ of electricity lines company performance

The Commerce Commission has released its draft decisions paper on the additional information New Zealand’s local electricity lines companies must disclose to the public.

The proposed changes aim to provide the public with a better picture of the quality of services, asset management practices, and how the electricity lines companies are responding to the challenges and opportunities associated with the decarbonisation of New Zealand’s energy supply.

The commission requires the 29 electricity lines companies that distribute electricity locally in New Zealand to publish information each year on aspects of their performance. This includes important data on pricing, future expenditure forecasts, outages and interruptions, and financial performance. Regular analysis of this information is provided by the commission to help the public understand how each lines company is performing individually and when compared with others, and to track changes over time.

The draft decisions were informed by submissions received as part of the review of electricity lines companies’ information disclosure requirements that began in March this year, and past engagement with the sector.

In response to this feedback, the commission has deferred some changes and prioritised others, and modified some of the proposed requirements. It is now seeking feedback on the draft decisions from the public and electricity sector.

The review aims to improve the range and quality of information available to the public on lines companies’ service and asset management practices, and how lines companies are responding to future challenges and opportunities, particularly relevant as electricity lines companies are likely to transport more electricity in future to support the decarbonisation of the New Zealand economy, says associate commissioner Vhari McWha.

“Our proposed changes will expand the information that lines companies must disclose, particularly in relation to quality of service asset management practices and how they are preparing for greater electrification brought about by decarbonisation.” McWha explains.

“The changes will also give us a better picture of innovation in the sector and how lines companies are managing new network loads.”

The Commerce Commission expects a final decision will be published in October.

Submissions on the draft decisions paper close on August 31, 2022, with cross submissions due by September 16, 2022.

Click here for more information.